Australia would never follow Pakistan’s lead and refuse to play out a Test match, according to the coach John Buchanan. “We have never done it in the past and I can’t see any reason why we would want to do it in the future,” he told .”We play the game pretty aggressively, but I think we always play it within the rules and the spirit of the game. So I don’t think that would be part of what we’d be wanting to do.”Inzamam-ul-Haq will appear at an ICC hearing to answer charges of bringing the game into disrepute and changing the condition of the ball during the fourth Test against England at The Oval on Sunday. Buchanan hoped the situation was sorted out swiftly as a drawn-out investigation would further damage the game. “I don’t think it would do cricket any good and it obviously needs to be resolved and a way forward be found, that’s certainly in their hands,” he said.Ricky Ponting said Inzamam might not be the man to blame. He believes the coach Bob Woolmer and the Pakistani team manager may have sparked the protest once the players returned to the pavilion after being docked the five-run penalty. “Who knows how I’d handle it and how the Australian cricket team would handle it in that situation,” he said, “but you’d like to think that we’d be able to do the right thing by the game and by everybody concerned.”Justin Langer said Sunday was a particularly sad day in Test cricket’s history. “As Donald Bradman said, we’re all custodians of the game and we want to leave it in better shape,” he said. “Games like that getting forfeited, we’re probably not leaving it in better shape than we first got into it.”
Sourav Ganguly and Irfan Pathan have been picked in India’s 14-mansquad to play South Africa in the first Test at Kanpur on November 20. Bothplayers missed the last two Tests against Australia, but regainedtheir fitness in time to play the BCCI Platinum Jubilee one-dayeragainst Pakistan at Kolkata today.Dheeraj Jadhav and SS Paul are the two men omitted. Jadhav and Paul were among four newcomers in the Mumbai Test squad: they sat out that game, butwill no doubt take satisfaction from knowing that they are next inline, and this queue does not stay still.The big question now is, who will Ganguly replace in the Test side?Mohammad Kaif is the obvious candidate, but his battling performancesagainst Australia might be enough for him to retain his place. GautamGambhir will, in that case, miss out, with either Kaif or DineshKarthik being promoted as a makeshift opener.Squad Sourav Ganguly (capt), Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag,Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar, Mohammad Kaif, DineshKarthik (wk), Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Murali Kartik, ZaheerKhan, Irfan Pathan, Ashish Nehra.
Wasting water is just not cricket – as players from Durham County Cricket Club have proved. When asked to support World Environment Day on Saturday, they certainly weren’t stumped and have pledged to take showers instead of baths – each saving enough water a week to make 2,000 mugs of tea.”Durham County Cricket Club is always keen to help a good cause and what better than the environment around us,” said James Bailey, the club’s marketing manager. “We’ll be bowled over if people can do their bit for World Environment Day by making a small pledge.””We are fortunate to live in the north east where we have a plentiful supply of water, but it is still a precious resource that we should take care of,” added Lorraine Coulson, water efficiency manager for Northumbria Water. “A shower uses less than half the water needed to run a bath and if a family of four took showers instead of baths for a year they would save two road tankers full of water.”
As the Logan Cup resumed for the final three rounds, all four teams wereweakened by the unexpected appearance of Zimbabwe in the Sharjah final.Most had hoped they would return in time to play, although Matabeleland wereplanning to rest them from this match.It was a warm, cloudless autumn day in Kwekwe as Barney Rogers, stand-inMatabeleland captain, won the toss and decided to bat on what looked like angood batting pitch with the potential to take spin. There was some movementin the air and off the seam early on, but Midlands did not have the bowlerscapable of taking advantage of it.Charles Coventry is one of Zimbabwe’s most promising and confident youngbatsmen, and an outside possibility for the tour of England if he has a goodLogan Cup season. Opening the batting for his native Matabeleland, he racedto 24 off 21 balls before being caught off David Mutendera, who is stillstruggling to recover from his appalling bowling form of earlier in theseason. Basically a one-day player, Coventry still has to develop into agenuine batsman in first-class cricket.There followed a sound partnership between Mark Vermeulen, back after hishead injury in the World Cup, and Ryan King, back in the Matabeleland sideafter a prolonged period of poor form. King was doing well until beinggiven out under controversial circumstances. Vermeulen pushed a single toreach his fifty, and after completing the run King thoughtlessly startedback the pitch to congratulate his partner, only to find wicketkeeperAlester Maregwede removing the bails and appealing along with Don Campbell.Umpire Ahmed Esat raised his finger in accordance with the laws of the game,but many felt this dismissal was not in the spirit of the game. Mr Esatlater described King’s indiscretion as `silly’ and said there was no mercyto be expected in the first-class game, but did say he queried with theMidlands team whether they really wished to claim his wicket in this way.They insisted they did, but Midlands chief executive Ken Connelly was nothappy about it, and neither were the spectators. King did earn himself somecredit, as he walked off quietly without histrionics or unduly harsh wordseither on the field or in the dressing room.Campbell himself, a former wicketkeeper, had a bad day in the slips, and atleast three chances went down in that region, which was no encouragement forthe long-suffering bowlers on a sound but rather slow pitch. Vermeulen forthe most part seemed to set his stall out for a major score to enhance hisEngland chances, playing few flamboyant strokes but accumulating steadily.However, he ran himself out just before lunch in a mix-up with his partner,turning for a third to find Barney Rogers uninterested, and the throw fromthe boundary just found him adjudged short of his crease. Unlike King, heflung his bat twenty metres on being given out and swore audibly. Bothrun-out incidents this morning showed the need for a match referee; althoughhe would not have overturned the King decision, he could at least have giventhe players some insights into the spirit of the game. Legal it undoubtedlywas, but it does the game no good when certain methods of dismissal causeoutrage among opposing players and spectators.The Matabeleland middle order made Midlands suffer in the sun during theafternoon session, as a big partnership between Andre Hoffman (79 not out)and Gavin Ewing (65 not out) flourished, taking the total to 342 for four atthe tea interval.Rogers moved smoothly to his fifty soon after lunch, but was then dismissedfor 52, trying to shoulder arms to medium-pacer Vusi Sibanda but onlymanaging to nick the ball to the keeper.Andre Hoffman, after a slow start, suddenly decided he liked the look ofDirk Viljoen’s left-arm spin and hit him for two successive sixes, overlong-off and long-on. He continued his enterprise beyond his fifty, whileGavin Ewing was just as aggressive and when Mutendera returned to bowl hisfirst over went for 21 runs. A couple of difficult chances were missed, butthe weak and inaccurate bowling suffered severely and there was no respitefor the home side.The partnership realized 192 before Hoffman, having just reached hiscentury, fell for 102. It was the first delivery with the second new ball,bowled by Vusi Sibanda – debutant Anthony Ireland took the other end – afterthe dismal failure of Mutendera and Sherezad Shah with the first. The extrapace and bounce apparently took Hoffman by surprise and, going for the cut,sliced a catch to Viljoen at slip. Matabeleland were now 382 for five.Shortly afterwards Ewing reached his century with a bold straight six offIreland. Keith Dabengwa, whose batting at first-class level has rarelymatched his ability, enjoyed the experience of playing a tired, weak bowlingline-up on a lifeless pitch and played some good-looking drives, while Ewingshowed no signs of laxity. They saw Matabeleland through to the close, whenthe team was an imposing 498 for six wickets, Ewing on 154 and Dabengwa 33.
Tim Lamb, chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board, has extinguished Australian hopes of returning home with the real Ashes.Australian captain Steve Waugh, speaking after the tourists had wrapped up the series with their Test win at Trent Bridge, said that his “personal point of view” was that: “We have won 3-0. We have won the series, and I think we should get the Ashes — the original. You are playing for the trophy, so why not get it?”It is the ultimate prize in cricket, they say. But you cannot get near it. It is not much of a prize really if you cannot see it or cannot touch it."And England chairman of selectors David Graveney sympathised by admitting: “I can understand where he’s coming from."However, Lamb has pointed out that the logistics of transporting such a valuable trophy half way round the globe makes it impossible for Australia to take home the treasured urn.He said: “There is absolutely no question of the original Ashes urn leaving Lord’s – it belongs at Lord’s.”There have been a number of replicas which have been used over the years – but the MCC would never let the original out. It is in the museum at Lord’s and it stays there.”The Australian Cricket Board realise that if anything happened to it then it would be gone forever."The winners of the Ashes instead receive a Waterford Crystal replica of the Ashes urn, which will be presented to Waugh after the Fifth Ashes Test at the Oval. Lamb pointed out that the production of the crystal replica as a “perpetual trophy” in 1998 had been supported by the ACB.Lamb admitted that, “It’s something completely different — but at least there is a trophy for one of the teams to keep. It will be presented to Australia – and we hope to be bringing it back in 18 months’ time."The Ashes may seem to be in the perpetual possession of Australia at the moment, but for the foreseeable future the urn itself will stay at Lord’s.
West Bromwich Albion manager Ryan Mason had some of the pressure taken off him after his side claimed a 2-0 win over Sheffield United in the Championship at the weekend.
Prior to that clash, Football Insider reported that the club’s away form has caused serious concern behind the scenes and that the manager’s future will be evaluated if they get dragged into a relegation battle.
The report added that the board, with owner Shilen Patel, remain in support of the former Tottenham Hotspur coach, but that the situation could change if they fall down the table.
Why West Brom should sack Ryan Mason
Despite a 2-0 win over the Blades last time out, Patel should ruthlessly part ways with Mason because the Baggies have regressed under his watch in comparison to last season.
Manager Focus
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Whilst it must be noted that Tom Fellows left to join Southampton, the English head coach was given new signing Aune Heggebo, who has scored eight goals in 17 league starts, per Sofascore.
Despite that impressive addition, whilst also having the likes of Isaac Price, Mikey Johnston, Karlan Grant, and Josh Maja at his disposal, Mason has been unable to improve the team’s attacking play.
West Brom’s regression under Mason
Stat
24/25 (rank)
25/26 (rank)
Points per game
1.39 (9th)
1.31 (15th)
xG
58.7 (9th)
25.3 (14th)
xA
47.1 (4th)
24.4 (7th)
xGD
+11.6 (6th)
+0.9 (12th)
League position
9th
15th
Stats via FBref
As you can see in the table above, West Brom are worse defensively, offensively, and overall as a team since the English tactician took the job in the summer, which is why the club should make a decision on his future.
If the Baggies do decide to part ways with Mason, Gary O’Neil is one out-of-work manager who could come in as an upgrade in the dugout, having been touted for the role in the summer.
Why West Brom should appoint Gary O'Neil
In what would be a controversial move, given his time at Wolves, the English boss could come in and provide West Brom with a boost to lift them up the Championship table.
Prior to Mason’s appointment, EFL pundit Joe Jacobson tipped the club to appoint O’Neil, saying: “At Wolves, it was tough but I think he is a very, very good manager and that’s exactly what West Brom need right now, a freshness, someone with some fresh ideas, someone who’s obviously very motivated and wants to prove himself again.”
The former Wolves and Bournemouth boss was viewed as somone who could come in with ‘fresh ideas’ and motivation to push West Brom forward, and that is still what they need six months later, as they have regressed under Mason.
O’Neil, as shown in the clip above, has shown that he can motivate a group of players to achieve success, having guided Bournemouth and Wolves to safety in the Premier League in his first two seasons as a manager.
O’Neil’s first 2 Premier League seasons
Championship
22/23
23/24
Games managed
34
38
Wins
10
13
Draws
6
7
Losses
18
18
Points
36
46
League finish
15th
14th
Stats via Transfermarkt
The 42-year-old tactician showed that he has the capabilities as a coach to deliver decent enough performances at that level, even if his second season at Wolves, losing 11 of 16 league games, was a disappointment.
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He has been out of a job since December of last year, which means that he has had plenty of time off to reflect and learn from his experiences so far, and could come in with real motivation to succeed, as Jacobson said.
O’Neil could be an upgrade on Mason because he has shown promising signs, with his first two seasons at the level, as a manager in the Premier League, whilst the Baggies boss has seemingly made a Championship side worse in his first senior posting.
That is why Patel should seriously consider sacking the former Spurs coach in favour of bringing O’Neil in to lead the club forward in the coming months and, hopefully, seasons.
He'd revive Price: West Brom could hire "insanely talented" Mason upgrade
West Bromwich Albion could soon replace an under-fire Ryan Mason with this fresh manager, who might get even more out of Isaac Price.
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum has declared day-night Test cricket “here to stay” after the conclusion of the inaugural floodlit match at Adelaide Oval, a popular success despite its meagre three-day running time.A crowd of 123,736 poured into the ground across those three days, and similarly strong television audiences made it a spectacle to delight broadcasters and administrators alike. But the verdict of the players was always going to be critical to the future of the concept, and in the glowing words of McCullum and his opposite number Steven Smith there was ample evidence that the game’s elite practitioners will be comfortable with doing this kind of thing more often.The only reservation raised by both McCullum and Smith was the amount of grass left on the Adelaide Oval pitch, which they agreed was the major factor in the game’s short time span. But they were equally adamant that players would be able to adapt with greater experience, with the added incentive now of having played a Test match in front of such a celebratory and voluminous gathering.”It’s a great concept,” McCullum said. “As pink ball cricket evolves as I am sure it will grow into a global game and I think we will see the pitches probably won’t have quite as much grass on it. The thing about day-night Test cricket is it is meant to allow Test match cricket to be played at night time, it is not meant to be to change how Test cricket should play.”There was a fraction too much grass on it, I think we saw under lights that the pink ball probably responded a little bit much, but I would say that because I am a batter. Overall it was a roaring success and 120,000 people over three days, people are voting with their feet and I think it’s here to stay, which is great.”In general, spectators would want see results in games. And will want to see captains start to try and force results. Sitting in changing room after hard fought Test win that’s what’s most memorable as a cricketer. Sometimes fighting draws are great and I think we’ll find captains will try and push home some advantage to get Test victories.”Smith was naturally relieved after seeing out a series victory over a fast-finishing New Zealand, and he had little hesitation in describing the contest as a “great” one. “The whole Test match was a great innovation, it was a great spectacle,” he said. “To get 120,000 people through the gates in three days is absolutely amazing. I thought it was a great spectacle and a great Test match.”It was a game that was dominated by the bowlers. New Zealand’s bowlers bowled just as well as ours. But it was one of those games – if you got yourself in you could still score runs, it just wasn’t to be this game for a lot of the batters, we got starts and couldn’t go on with it. I think the contest is there if you’re willing to have a game plan and bat some time you can certainly score runs.”Like McCullum, Smith noted the thick grass coverage presented for the pink ball, but was happy enough to live with that after finishing the match as a narrow winner. “I think the wicket here compared to the two Shield games that have been played on it and particularly the pink ball shield game we played, it looked like the grass was a bit more lively,” he said. “I think it was the same height as the grass in the Shield game but it was probably just a tad greener.”That created a little bit more movement for the bowlers and kept the ball together and swinging for a long period. But I think it was great to see something different, the first two Test matches were dominated by the bat, so it’s great to see something different and see the bowlers coming into their own.”
Kevin Pietersen wants to be a member of an England side that ‘demolishes’ Australia in two years time after the team’s 5-0 Ashes humbling. Despite scoring 490 runs during the series, including 158 in Adelaide, he could do nothing about the eventual result.But Pietersen has promised the memory of their recent thrashing will inspire the team to success when the Ashes are next up for grabs, in England, in 2009. “People are still hurting from the winter. But I don’t think it did England too much harm, this winter,” he told BBC Radio Five Live’s Sportsweek programme on Sunday.”Yes, we got hammered in Australia and the World Cup (where England failed to reach the semi-finals) wasn’t good for us, but we are hurting. Inside, we are hurting and it is the same sort of pain we want to inflict on a lot of countries that tour England, and it is the same pain we want to inflict on the Australians in 2009, so it wasn’t all that bad.”The way we are playing our cricket now is the way we want to play and the way we want to demolish the Australians in 2009.Michael Vaughan spoke of England needing to be ruthless ahead of the fourth Test against West Indies and Pietersen echoes those opinions. “I just basically think it’s that killer instinct, that ruthlessness that the Australian team showed us in Australia this winter.”They were at our throats – that’s what we want to do, we want to be mentally right, we want to be physically right and we just want to keep asking questions ball after ball, session after session,” explained Pietersen, who said new coach Peter Moores wanted the side to have a hard edge.”A team has to back down at some stage and that is something Peter is very, very positive about and keen on doing. As soon as you turn up at the ground, you are in the right frame of mind, you have got positive energy, positive vibes chucking around the dressing room Positive energy breeds positive performances.”
Kevin Pietersen was adamant that he would be fit to resume his innings on the second day of the third Test between England and Pakistan at Headingley, after retiring hurt with cramp shortly after recording his fifth Test century.”I’m facing the first ball tomorrow unless something drastic happens to me this evening,” Pietersen confirmed, after the late dismissal of Matthew Hoggard left England handily placed on 347 for 6 at stumps. “I was [scheduled to go] in before Hoggard and after [Chris] Read,” he added, “but then we used the nightwatchman for the last five overs.”Pietersen enjoyed a charmed life in his innings, surviving a clear-cut appeal for caught-behind on 2 followed by a dismissal off a no-ball, and then, on the stroke of his eventual retirement, he was dropped at midwicket by Salman Butt.”It did inconvenience me because that’s why I came off the field,” explained Pietersen, who had called for treatment on his forearm three times in a single over as he raced through the 90s with a series of typically bombastic shots. “Instinct and adrenalin took over,” he added, “but after each shot, [my forearm] would freeze into a certain position. It wasn’t fun and it’s certainly never happened before.””I couldn’t grip the bat as well as I should have done,” he continued. “I had some treatment but I had to come off. I’ve had it needled and massaged and hopefully with some rest and more treatment, I’ll be able to face the first ball tomorrow.”Pietersen was satisfied with his performance in typically tough, overcast conditions at Headingley. “I was happy to get out there and play,” he said. “Other batsmen have been fantastic this series, so it’s nice to get another hundred. I’m really satisfied with this one, especially after getting 20,30, 40 in my last innings. Hopefully, if Ian [Bell] and I can bat for an hour or more in the first session, we can get a score in excess of 400.””That’s the first time I’ve ever suffered with cramps in my life,” claimed Pietersen. “I think the problem today was that I didn’t have lunch, I don’t generally eat when I’m batting, and I had breakfast at 8am. It’s probably just my salt levels, because my fluids were perfect and my urine was crystal clear.”
Carl Gazzard and Keith Parsons both scored centuries as Somerset Seconds drew their two day match against Sussex at North Perrott.Chasing the visitors total of 433, Somerset lost Piran Holloway for 27 when he was run out before Parsons joined Gazzard.The second wicket pair added 140 in quick time before the young Cornishman was out for a hard hit 112.Parsons then shared in stands with Wes Durston (36) and Arul Suppiah (28) before the game ended by which Somerset had moved onto 449 for 7, and the all rounder remained unbeaten on 108.