Tag Futebol

On a turning track where the ball kept low, Kolkata’s batsmen all chipped in to put up the highest total of the tournament so far, which proved sufficient against Deccan Chargers

The Bulletin by Siddarth Ravindran11-Apr-2011
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Jacques Kallis made his second consecutive half-century•AFPIt could be the overdose of cricket, or the absence of their adored hometown hero Sourav Ganguly, or just that it was a Monday night; whatever the reason, it was only a sparse crowd at Eden Gardens as Kolkata Knight Riders eased to victory in their first home game of the season. On a turning track where the ball kept low, Kolkata’s batsmen all chipped in to put up the highest total of the tournament so far, which proved sufficient against Deccan Chargers.Jacques Kallis provided another launchpad for the innings, with a controlled half-century filled with off-driven boundaries. He wasn’t overly troubled by the new-ball attack of Dale Steyn and Ishant Sharma, but the introduction of spin slowed the scoring as Pragyan Ojha and Amit Mishra teased the batsmen on a helpful pitch.Kallis’ opening partner Manvinder Bisla’s scratchy stay ended soon after the fifty stand came up, as he missed a straighter one from Mishra. Kallis employed the sweep effectively against the spinners, and started to punish the part-time offerings of JP Duminy and Ravi Teja. A powerful swipe off Duminy got him to a second consecutive fifty, but he perished next ball as he attempted to clear midwicket again.Gautam Gambhir, back in the familiar territory of No. 3 after batting down the order in the opening match, hardly needed power as he picked off boundaries behind square. Manoj Tiwary’s batting was more muscular, slogging two big leg-side sixes in one Duminy over. Yusuf Pathan also provided the Kolkata fans something to cheer as he unleashed his brand of power-hitting to club three boundaries off Steyn’s final two overs.Mishra was the best of the Deccan bowlers, mixing in the googlies and sliders with his stock legspinner to trouble the Kolkata batting. Gambhir is widely reputed to be among the best players of spin in the country, and Mishra had the satisfaction of foxing him with a delivery that slid on to take middle stump. Mishra ended with 4-0-19-2 despite bowling two overs at the end of the innings.The lack of pace in the Kolkata attack worked in their favour during the chase as the ball didn’t come on to the bat, making it difficult for the Deccan batsmen to play their shots. Left-arm spinner Iqbal Abdulla squeezed the runs early on and he bowled Ishank Jaggi, who attempted an awful slog after struggling to 3 off eight balls. Soon after, Eoin Morgan pulled off a stunning piece of fielding to send back Shikhar Dhawan – diving to stop the ball at cover, and rifling in a direct hit while still on his knees.The Deccan batting depends heavily on their three overseas signings: Kumar Sangakkara, JP Duminy and Dan Christian. Sangakkara and Duminy fell cheaply, both providing catching practice to Kallis in the deep, and it was left to little-known Bharat Chipli to keep the Deccan challenge going with a series of boundaries. He too gave Kallis a simple catch, and with half the side dismissed and the asking rate around 13, there was too much for Christian to do. He unleashed a few big hits, but by that stage the biggest worry for Kolkata was the blow to Kallis’ chin as he attempted yet another catch.

Andrew Strauss could only curse England’s injury crisis as a shortage of bowling options meant a record-breaking batting effort went to waste at Sydney. The visitors were handsomely placed after piling up 333 but Paul Collingwood suffered a back spasm and was unable to fill his role with the ball as Australia won by two wickets.Collingwood, who was picked primarily for his bowling, joined England’s lengthy casualty list from this one-day series which has left Strauss with the bare bones of an attack. Tim Bresnan (calf) and Graeme Swann (back) are already back in the UK and will soon be joined by Ajmal Shahzad (hamstring) and Chris Tremlett (side), who will fly home from Sydney on Thursday.Liam Plunkett, the Durham allrounder, has completed a 36-hour journey from the Caribbean to Perth where England head to tomorrow for the final one-day international on Sunday, and Collingwood’s injury gives him a decent chance of at least being rewarded with a match for his brief visit Down Under.The loss of Collingwood also turned the spotlight on England’s gamble of playing just five bowlers with the fill-in 10 overs from Kevin Pietersen and Jonathan Trott costing 72. Strauss admitted they will have to reassess the balance of the side heading into the World Cup, but added the injury situation hadn’t left much breathing space in this match.”He had a back spasm so he couldn’t walk very well and he certainly couldn’t bowl,” Strauss said. “At the moment we are a bit short on bowlers full stop. So we were forced into right that at the moment. It’s a fair question to ask. It’s not ideal – I need five bowlers, there is no doubt.”Ideally you will have six bowlers at your disposal; five specialists and a Collingwood-type bowler. We are going to have to decide what the best way of winning games out on the sub-continent is. The likelihood is there are going to be two spinners involved and that allows you to play with six bowlers.”The conditions also made it a tough day with temperatures nudging 40 degrees although England avoided the worst of the heat by batting first. Even then it took its toll on the batsmen with Jonathan Trott suffering from cramp during his 137 and needing a runner to complete the innings.”It was certainly one of the hottest days I’ve ever batted in. That takes it’s toll on the players, the players have played a lot of cricket over the course of this Australian summer,” Strauss said. “It was hard work. It was very frustrating to do all that hard work and not get the result at the end of it.”Trott, who managed to take on fluids during the interval and fielding for most of Australia’s innings, said the coloured one-day kits make it even harder. “It was really tough. It’s just one of those things, also with the blue clothing, it’s not the white stuff, so it heats up pretty quickly.”For a moment during Australia’s innings it appeared another player may have gone down when Kevin Pietersen slid in the outfield and hurt his ankle. He limped off for treatment but returned to send down six overs and claim the wicket of Mitchell Johnson. Too many more injuries and England will struggle to name an eleven in Perth.

Pakistan have left out experienced allrounder and former captain Shoaib Malik from the list of 30 probables for the 2011 World Cup

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Jan-2011

Pakistan have left out experienced allrounder and former captain Shoaib Malik from the list of 30 probables for the 2011 World Cup. Malik had been under the scanner of the PCB’s integrity committee and ultimately appears to have failed to gain clearance for selection. Wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal, over whom there has been as much speculation, has, however, been selected.The pair, alongside legspinner Danish Kaneria, have been frozen out of recent Pakistan squads. The trio have not participated for Pakistan in any format since the summer tour to England; Kaneria was part of the Test squad for the South Africa series in the UAE but was prevented from travelling by the board at the very last minute. Though not an ODI regular, he also doesn’t find a place in the 30.The PCB hasn’t said so publicly but the trio have been under suspicion in the aftermath of the spot-fixing scandal that has rocked Pakistan’s cricket. Akmal was the subject of an ACSU notice earlier this year but has since asked for and received a written clearance from the ICC. Kaneria’s name featured in a separate spot-fixing scandal at Essex county. Malik has not been linked with any specific incident though he features regularly in the fevered speculation and gossip of Pakistan’s cricket structure.As a result, over the last few weeks the players have appeared three times before the PCB’s integrity committee and handed in various financial documents and statements. They last appeared before the committee last Thursday. The lack of clarity over Akmal and Malik in particular had forced the PCB to ask the ICC for more time in naming their probables. The world body extended the deadline for Pakistan from December 19 to January 5.Elsewhere there is little genuine surprise. Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, provisionally suspended for their alleged role in the Lord’s spot-fixing scandal, were never in the running for the squad. Mohammad Yousuf, the veteran batsman recently discarded from Pakistan’s Test side, is in the running for a middle-order spot. There will be quibbling over the axing of Fawad Alam, who averages nearly 38 in the limited opportunities he gets, but at least one member of the selection committee has been against his inclusion as a matter of policy. Nasir Jamshed, the left-handed opener, is also included, in place of Imran Farhat.”We are satisfied that we have selected the best squad from amongst the available players,” chief selector Mohsin Khan said. “There is a lot of speculation in the media regarding clearance or otherwise of players by integrity committee of PCB. The integrity committee has given its views on some players to the selection committee which has taken into consideration that input and has selected the 30 players for the World Cup.”The ODI squad for the series against New Zealand will be announced next week.Squad: Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Taufiq Umar, Nasir Jamshed, Mohammad Yousuf, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Naveed Yasin, Kamran Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmed, Salman Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Yasir Arafat, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Abdul Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Yasir Shah, Zulfiqar Babar, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Tanveer, Tanvir Ahmed, Junaid Khan, Aizaz Cheema, Asad Ali

Mickey Arthur, Mike Hussey’s coach at Western Australia, has backed the under-fire middle-order batsman and is adamant that “Australia would be wrong if they didn’t pick Hussey.”Hussey battled his way back to some sort of form with a gritty, unbeaten 71 that stitched Australia’s middle order together in the first one-dayer against Sri Lanka at Melbourne. Though it was not the prettiest of knocks, it may help quieten questions over his worth in the Test side ahead of the Ashes.Hussey, 35, has scored just two Test centuries in the past 18 months and, most recently, had two indifferent series against Pakistan in England and India in India. Hoping for some first-class practice ahead of the first Test at Brisbane, he played in WA’s Sheffield Shield match against South Australia last week but was out first ball in the first innings and managed just three runs second time round.But Arthur, formerly South Africa’s coach, believes Hussey’s experience could prove crucial as Australia seek to regain the Ashes. “He has a wealth of experience,” said Arthur. “You need your experienced players in a Test match against England and the first Test match of a series, it’s really important.””I guess you’re always a little bit down if you don’t score any runs but he’s been fine. We did a bit of work and he’s hitting the ball exceptionally well. Technically, there’s nothing wrong with him. Mike will be fine and I expect him to play in that first Test match. He just needs a hit-out somewhere and he’ll get that in the one-dayers and he’ll be fine.”

Somerset have signed Steve Kirby from neighbours Gloucestershire on a three-year contract after the quick bowler asked to be released from his Bristol deal to pursue Division One cricket.Kirby still had two years to run at Gloucestershire but wants to make one final push for international honours and believes he can only do that in the top flight. He will certainly add a cutting edge to Somerset’s attack which is currently led by the hard-working Charl Willoughby, the former South Africa left-arm paceman, but lacks somebody with pace.”Somerset are putting together the nucleus of a side who can be contenders in all forms of cricket and I am looking forward to competing for a place because competition is what sport is all about for me,” Kirby told the Somerset website. “The club has a great infrastructure as well as a very good team. I can assure their supporters I have plenty of fire left in my belly and I’m looking forward to the challenge of bowling at Taunton.”Brian Rose, the Somerset director of cricket, added: “I have made it clear for some time that we needed to strengthen our seam bowling unit and Steve will give us a bit of extra pace,” he said. “That is a real advantage when you are trying to bowl out tail-enders at a place like Taunton and he has the sort of character too to get among later order batsmen.”He is still ambitious to play for England, which means he will be giving it everything next season, and he has always been a very spirited cricketer. The deal was done very quickly. As soon as we heard he was leaving Gloucestershire we went in for him and I pleased to say we soon reached agreement.”

Kalvin Phillips’ future at Leeds United is unlikely to be resolved until the summer, according to The Daily Mail.

The Lowdown: Watford start for Phillips?

The 25-year-old made a welcome return on the weekend, coming on in the second half of Leeds’ 1-1 draw with Southampton at Elland Road, and he is now in contention to start against Watford on Saturday.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-41/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-2022-04-02T155252Z_391313781_UP1EI421841M9_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LEE-SOU-REPORT.jpg” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Phillips had been missing with a hamstring problem since December, with the likes of West Ham, Aston Villa and Newcastle United all being linked with a move for the England international during his time on the treatment table.

The 26-year-old has informed the club of his desire to pen a new deal at Elland Road, but it doesn’t look as if one will be signed anytime soon.

The Latest: Phillips contract update

The Daily Mail’s Simon Jones shared a story on Phillips late on Monday night, name-checking West Ham, Villa and Newcastle with interest.

The report claimed that Phillips is in the process of changing agents and that talks over the next stage of his career are unlikely to take place until that is finalised.

The Verdict: Worrying for Leeds…

June was named as a possible date for Phillips’ future to be resolved, which could be a worry for the Whites. You’d expect that they would have hoped to have tied down their star midfielder to a new deal before the current season comes to an end.

That doesn’t look likely now, which will give the three interested Premier League suitors fresh hope of luring him from Elland Road under a new representative.

Hopefully Leeds will remain in the Premier League and build a team around Phillips going forward, but it seems as if Whites fans may have to sweat a little longer when it comes to the midfielder’s future.

In other news: Leeds and Marsch handed early injury boost as ‘strong’ player may now return v Watford  

Celtic correspondent Kieran Devlin has been reacting to rumours that Albian Ajeti’s return to Basel is off.

The Lowdown: Reports from Switzerland

The Switzerland striker was expected to leave the club this month, along with Vasilis Barkas and Boli Bolingoli.

The striker was heavily linked with a move back to Basel, especially after Arthur Cabral’s €16m (£13.3m) move to Fiorentina from the Swiss club went through.

However, according to Swiss outlet Basler Zeitung, as relayed by 67 Hail Hail, a move for Ajeti doesn’t look likely, with the 24-year-old not fitting the model at St Jakob Park. His wage demands are also too much for Basel, with Devlin now giving his thoughts to the news.

The Latest: Devlin’s comments

Devlin was asked by a Celtic supporter on The Athletic about Ajeti and a move to Basel being off the cards.

Here’s what he had to say in reply, believing that it could be a ‘negotiation tactic’ for the forward’s services and name-checking Cabral’s recent exit:

“Possibility that’s grandstanding/negotiation tactic with them receiving 15 million euros for Arthur Cabral.”

The Verdict: Still time…

As Devlin mentioned this morning, a move to Basel wasn’t one which needed to be finalised today, with the Swiss market still open for another few weeks.

It’s not just Switzerland where the market stays open, though, with a number of countries still allowed to do business going into February.

Should the likes of Ajeti, Barkas and Bolingoli fail to seal Parkhead exits today, at least the Hoops will still have a chance to find the trio a new home outside of the UK over the coming weeks.

In other news: ‘Fans will be worried’ – Pundit thinks late £5m+ Celtic move will now go through

We are now over two weeks into the transfer window and rather unsurprisingly, it has been a chaotic one for Newcastle United.

The reasons are clear; they are desperate for players to ensure Premier League survival and they are now famously known as the richest football club on earth.

What’s the word?

The Magpies have bolstered their squad with two marquee additions in recent weeks with Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood arriving.

However, there is still a considerable amount of work to be done, namely in bringing a centre-back to St James’ Park.

The club have failed in their efforts for Sven Botman while a deal is seemingly on the table for Diego Carlos.

It’s thought another striker is wanted by the club’s new Saudi owners and Newcastle’s recruitment team but a name who definitely won’t be joining has been revealed by transfer insider Fabrizio Romano.

He issued the following update on Twitter: “Rumours linking Mario Balotelli with a move to Newcastle in January are wide of the mark. ‘Fake news’ – comment from sources.”

Fans will be delighted

Although the Toon Army will be desperately craving new acquisitions between now and January 31st, the idea of Balotelli penning terms is unlikely to have been welcomed well by the club’s fanbase.

Of course, he is a hugely experienced character and is also someone who would add plenty of humour and character to the dressing room.

However, with Howe’s men engulfed in a severe relegation battle, winning just one game all term, the last thing you’d want to do is sign someone as controversial as Balotelli.

After all, the Italian is not a regular goalscorer anymore and he’s also now aged 31, past the peak of his powers.

The former Manchester City forward currently plays his football in Turkey for Adana Demirspor where he has found the net on eight occasions this term.

That isn’t a bad tally at all, but the fiery striker has failed not once but twice in English football, enduring a controversy-hit spell at City and then bagging just four strikes in 28 outings for Liverpool.

Right now, Howe needs a player capable of hitting the ground running, either boasting successful Premier League experience or being a player with elite potential – like Sevilla centre-back, Carlos.

As a consequence, Newcastle are right to swerve a move for the ex-Italy international this month and as a result of doing so, the St James’ faithful should be rather delighted with the decision making of Nick Hammond and co.

AND in other news, “I’m told”: Craig Hope issues major NUFC transfer claim that’ll get fans excited…

Celtic pundit Frank McAvennie has been reacting to injury updates on Kyogo Furuhashi and David Turnbull, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Sky Sports post

Both Furuhashi and Turnbull haven’t featured since the Hoops returned to action from the winter break due to hamstring issues.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/celtic-updates-21/” title=”Celtic updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Turnbull has been missing since the Scottish League Cup Final, whereas Furuhashi suffered a reoccurrence of his issue against St Johnstone at the end of December.

However, returns could be around the corner, after Sky Sports shared comments from Ange Postecoglou on Twitter.

Postecoglou decided to include the pair in the club’s Europa Conference League squad but refused to give timescales on their reruns, although he did admit Turnbull was two to three weeks closer than Furuhashi.

The Latest: McAvennie’s comments

Celtic pundit McAvennie was talking to Football Insider regarding the updates on Furuhashi and Turnbull.

He labelled their Europa Conference League squad inclusions as ‘brilliant news’ and believes they aren’t a million miles away.

“The fact they have both been included, this is brilliant news for Celtic.

“They would not have been included if there was no chance of them playing.

“We know what Postecoglou is like as well, it’s all mind games. He said there was no way McGregor would play in the Old Firm and he started.

“I’m not saying we will see these players next week or anything, I just think they might not be a million miles away.

“I would love a good run in Europe, we have the squad to do it now.

“Once our injured players return we will be even stronger as well. I can’t wait to see David and Kyogo back.

“They have both had brilliant seasons so far.”

The Verdict: Fingers crossed

Celtic take on Bodo/Glimt in a two-legged tie on February 17 and 24, and with Turnbull ahead of Furuhashi in regards to a return, perhaps we may see the Scot in the second leg over in Norway.

Reports at the end of December suggested the attacking midfielder could be sidelined for at least two months, so returning before the end of February would be good news and in line with the timescale.

Postecoglou may well think there’s a chance after including both in the squad 25-man squad, so it will be interesting to see what he says on the pair with the first leg just seven days away.

In other news: BBC Radio 5 Live man ‘pretty sure’ Celtic have had ‘conversations’ with one player over new deal. 

Aston Villa have considered a move for Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah, according to The Athletic.

And, as to be expected, a number of Villa fans have been reacting to the rumour on social media.

Steven Gerrard and Johan Lange have been extremely busy his month, bringing in three senior additions and one for the academy, with their attention now on securing a centre-back and a defensive midfielder.

However, according to Gregg Evans, Villa have also discussed attacking options. Nketiah has been considered as he is now into the final six months of his Gunners deal, whereas other forwards across Europe are also on the radar.

The 22-year-old is yet to start a Premier League fixture this season and has scored just five times in 41 appearances in the top flight.

Villa fans react

The AVFC Faithful relayed Evans’ claim regarding Nketiah on Twitter. These Villa supporters weren’t exactly thrilled at the links, with one describing the Englishman as ‘terrible’.

“I’d rather play a bin bag up front”

Credit: @VTID123

“Awful move if true he’s not even championship level he’s awful”

Credit: @Jamie_UTV

“No thanks, he’s terrible”

Credit: @lew_clamp

“No no & no again”

Credit: @TylerHinsley1

“Now that would be pointless”

Credit: @Nathhhavfc

“Would rather Barry and Archer on the bench thanks”

Credit: @ReeceTay_29

In other news: ‘Give them what they want’ – Many Villa fans flock to transfer update on potential ‘superstar’.