Category Uncategorized

Division One

Points TableHampshire completed a comprehensive victory over Nottinghamshire. The champions fared slightly better in their second innings, but once Darren Bicknell fell for a patient 97, Notts’ spirit seemed to wane. Shaun Udal capped his season in great style by grabbing four wickets, to see the champions fall by an innings and 188 runs.In a rain-interrupted day at The Oval, Mark Ramprakash continued where he left off yesterday, as did Surrey who reached 607 without losing any further wickets against Middlesex. 203 further runs were added with Azhar Mahmood scoring the bulk of the runs. He remained not-out on 167, and Ramprakash reached 242. Surrey hold a lead of 203 runs, in a match which is almost certainly heading for a draw.Sussex wrapped up a comprehensive victory over Kent by 8 wickets at Hove. Kent could only manage 238 in their second innings, collapsing from their overnight score of 144 for 3. Naved-ul-Hasan and James Kirtley each took four wickets, which left Sussex with the straightforward task of knocking off 148 runs. They lost two wickets, but Mike Yardy saw them home with 55.Gloucestershire are struggling in their match against Warwickshire, and face an uphill battle to avoid defeat. Set 411 to win, they closed the third day on 97 for 2 with Naqqash Tahir picking up both wickets. Earlier, Warwickshire had amassed 320 with Nick Knight making 94 and Jim Troughton 57.

Division Two

Points TableLeicestershire scraped past Lancashire by just four runs in low-scoring game at Old Trafford. James Anderson mopped up Leicestershire’s tail to restrict them to 200, and set Lancashire a target of 175 runs. But Lancashire lost wickets regularly, with three wickets for Charl Willoughby and Stuart Broad.Monty Panesar took his ninth wicket of the match as Yorkshire stumbled to 101 for 4 in their second innings against Northamptonshire. On a rain-affected day at Northampton, Michael Lumb was left not-out on 31, as Yorkshire trail the hosts by 198 runs.Luke Sutton made the remarkable decision of declaring Derbyshire’s innings, midway through the 171st over, with Graeme Welch left stranded on 99. Sutton declared on an imposing 707 for 7, and quickly grabbed two wickets to leave Somerset on 173 for 2, trailing by 275 runs.Rain also affected play at Worcester, but there was enough play possible to ensure Worcestershire hauled their way up to Essex’s first innings score of 574. Stephen Moore, not-out overnight on 124, fell nine short of 200, and Ben Smith reached 154. Worcestershire closed on 424 for 3, and trail by 150 runs.

Saleem Malik in better days© Getty Images

The Pakistan Cricket Board will not block any efforts by Saleem Malik to open up his own cricket academy. In a report in , a senior official from the PCB confirmed, “As far as we are concerned, he is banned from playing international, domestic and club cricket. But we can’t stop any individual from doing something to earn a living. As long as it does not involve him playing any competitive cricket, we have no problem.” The report went on to state that the board would not support or offer any assistance to the academy.The PCB were reacting to news yesterday that Malik, a former captain currently serving a life ban for his alleged involvement in the match-fixing scandal that rocked the game a few years ago, was planning to set up an academy to help solve the batting crisis in Pakistan cricket. Malik, who was banned from the game four years ago after being found guilty in the Justice Qayyum Report on match-fixing, plans to set up the coaching academy in Lahore later this year.Talking to AFP, Malik had said, “I want to start a new career as a coach because everyone I meet asks me why I don’t start coaching budding players. I would want the PCB to avail my services. I have already found the site in Lahore and hopefully will start coaching later this year, because I realise my duty as a former player to overcome the shortage of good batsmen in the country.” Now 41, Malik has played no cricket for four years, but said, “I follow cricket with the same interest of my playing days.”He continues to maintain his innocence as well, arguing, “My whole career was destroyed by a one-sided ban because nothing was proved against me. I was cleared by the first inquiry [the PCB inquiry in 1995]. It’s a universal law that you are innocent until proven guilty and I have been desperate to clear my name.”Malik has filed several appeals against the ban, including one in the High Court, which have been rejected. His present appeal is pending in the Supreme Court (Lahore Bench). The PCB has refused to review the ban.Malik was one of three international captains banned for match-fixing in 2000 – Mohammad Azharuddin and the late Hansie Cronje being the others who were implicated. Cronje apart, the others have consistently pleaded innocence of any wrongdoing. Malik played 103 tests for Pakistan, scoring 5,768 runs at an average of nearly 44, with 15 hundreds.He also played 283 ODIs, scoring 7170 runs. His alleged penchant for bookies aside, he will be remembered by many as a gifted and wristy strokemaker – unfairly labelled by Imran Khan as a flat-track bully, despite his Headingley heroics – and among the best batsmen this country has produced. And one of the first batsmen, as Scyld Berry recalled, to dominate Shane Warne.

LAHORE, March 13: Former Test cricketer Sarfraz Nawaz has levelled corruption allegations against some senior officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and demanded of President Pervez Musharraf to change the present set up.Addressing a Press conference here on Thursday Sarfraz said that the Pakistan team had been tasting defeats regularly fromthe home series against England to the World Cup-2003 and now there was no justification for General Tauqir Zia to head the PCB.Sarfraz claimed that he had brought it to the notice of the PCB chairman some incidents of corruption in PCB, two years back but no action had yet been taken by him.He alleged that the National Academy building in Lahore had been completed at a cost of Rs 600 million which should be around Rs 300 million. He went on to say that according to laws, any national project exceeding Rs 500 million should get an approval from NAB which was not sought for the academy. He also said that NAB should investigate the TV rights deal of 40.5 million dollars recently signed between PCB and Taj Company.He said that PCB chairman had changed the name of inquiry committee as review committee which was formed by the board to present its report on the debacle of the Pakistan team in the World Cup-2003.He said that Aaqib Javed, one of the members of the committee, had said that Wasim and Waqar were his favourite bowlers. How could he give his recommendation against them.He asked why the three foreign coaches of the team, Richard Pybus, Dennis Waight and Daryl Foster were not asked to appear before the review committee.He suggested that Moin Khan should be named as next captain of the team.

Graham Thorpe has been ruled out of the Fourth npower Test at Headingley. His hand injury has not recovered sufficiently to allow him to be considered for selection.A bone in Thorpe’s hand was broken by a delivery from Brett Lee during the Second Test at Lord’s.Thorpe ruled himself out of contention today after a fitness test, commenting that the hand “is still very sensitive."

The grand final between the two teams commenced amidst a packed house. The spectators must have enjoyed every minute of the game, but the result was one sided. Though it was unusual for Pakistan to surrender, they did so today.Bating first South Africa did not have a promising start losing 2 wickets for only 29 runs on the board. Gary Kirsten and Nicky Boje later succeeded in picking up the score and raising it to 70 in 15 overs, when the game was suspended on account of rain.On resumption the match was reduced to 35 overs each, thus prompting the players to score fast. As a result 40 runs were added in 5 overs. The rate of scoring going up created lot of excitement for the spectators. South Africa lost 3 wickets for 126 with Gary Kirsten having scored a marvelous 62 and Nicky Boje hoisting 50 in 36 deliveries.With full consideration of the reduced innings South Africa was trying to score the maximum runs. The batsmen at the crease were hitting all over the ground with a grand exhibition of slogging too. Pakistan’s poor fielding enabled them to pile up runs. Having survived a lot of chances, the Proteas were 152 for 6, eventually ending up the innings at 197 for 7. Daryll Cullinan remained unbeaten with a valuable contribution of 31 runs. Kabir Khan and Abdur Razzaq claimed 2 wickets each.Though the Proteas had scored 197 runs, the Umpires gave Pakistan a target of 215 runs in 35 overs to win. With a rain soaked pitch and wet atmosphere it was not an easy target.Pakistan opened with Imran Nazir and Saleem Elahi and lost the 1st wicket at 7, when Imran Nazir was out. He was followed on his trail by Yousuf Youhana rendering Pakistan to 33 for 2. Saleem Elahi who showed some courage to stay was trapped LBW for a useful 26 bringing down Pakistan to 44 for 3.All hopes now rested on the great pair of Saeed Anwar and Ijaz Ahmed but a good bowling – fielding combination of the Proteas did not let them flourish. Saeed Anwar was out after scoring a brilliant 24, while Abdur Razzaq and Azhar Mahmood followed him quick reducing Pakistan to a miserable 76 for 6.With the mountain of a target ahead, the players had lost heart and the spirit to fight. Ijaz Ahmed was the only batsman capable of pulling the team out of crisis but it was not a one man’s job. He was out after scoring a valuable 31 rendering Pakistan to 102 for 7. Rest was the matter of time. With no intentions to fight, the whole team was out for 121 runs in 28 overs.South Africa thus defeated Pakistan by 93 runs to win the Trophy. For his excellent all round performance Nicky Boje was declared Man of the Match.It was a very poor display of cricket by Pakistan. The players some how, did not have their heart in the game. Contrary to their previous performance they lacked the fighting spirit. South Africa certainly deserved to win. They gave a masterly performance to cause Pakistan’s demolition in less than the lesser quota of overs. Well done Proteas.

Paul Scharner has warned the Baggies that they must hold on to their star names next month, or risk being relegated.

The versatile Austrian has helped the club bounce back from a poor run to record back-to-back Premier League wins against Everton and Newcastle, which has moved Albion into the top-half of the table.

Roberto Di Matteo’s men have done a lot better than many outsiders anticipated in the summer following their promotion and Scharner feels the sale of any key players could lead to their downfall in the New Year.

Scharner said:“It’s true we have exceeded expectations but I am very happy that we surprised everybody.

“Hopefully we can continue what we are doing.

“Hopefully we won’t stop when we reach our target (of staying up) and we will keep on going until the end of the season.

“It looks like we can stay up. I never got relegated with Wigan and that’s why I came to West Bromwich, to help them survive.

“That’s the main target and we’re on course at the moment.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

“But, if we want to reach our targets, it is important that we all stay together until the end of the season.”

Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Manchester United and Manchester City are ready to open a bidding war for Newcastle hitman Papiss Cisse, according to Mirror Football.

The Senegal international has been a revelation in Tyneside since moving to the club in January, scoring 13 goals in 14 appearances, along with a number of eye-catching long range efforts.

The African forward joined Alan Pardew’s men from Freiburg for £10 million during the last transfer window, however with Newcastle missing out on Champions League qualification it is believed that some of the side’s stars could be lured away by the top four sides.

The daily newspaper indicate that United in particular are keen on Cisse’s signature, but City will also enter the bidding should any progress be made.

Newcastle will be keen to hang on to their star players, and will not want to lose Cisse after just signing him in January.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

By Gareth McKnight

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’left’]

American forward Abby Wambach has only one thing on her mind – winning the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup.The US have not won the coveted trophy since 1999 and are desperate for a record-breaking third triumph when they face Japan in the tournament finale in Frankfurt on Sunday.

Veteran Wambach has played a key role in getting her side to the final, most notably scoring a 122nd minute equaliser against Brazil in the quarter-finals to force penalties.

She also scored in the 3-1 semi-final win over France to make it three goals in as many games for the 31-year-old.

“In the end all I care about is winning,” Wambach said.

“Winning is the most important thing right now. And it’s 90 minutes. If we can win one 90-minute game, we’re world champs.”

But Japan will be no easy beats and, having eliminated reigning champions Germany in the quarter-finals, enter the final on the back of a 3-1 come-from-behind win against an impressive Swedish side.

US coach Pia Sundhage is well-aware of the threat Japan can pose.

“They (Japanese) have some good players,” Sundhage said.

“Regardless how tall or short they are. And they do it together. Everybody I think praised them for the way they attack. They keep possession and that’s a pretty good way to defend.”

“But if you study their defending as well, they are very organised and they get numbers behind the ball. So that’s the reason why they are here.”

“It’s a really good team and with the set pieces they are so much better today I think than a year ago.”

There can be no underestimating exactly how important Cesc Fabregas is for the Gunners. When he’s on song, he controls the flow of their game, he is their engine, their anchor and their forward thrust. The Spanish midfielder is without doubt one of the world’s best footballers and if Arsenal are to have any success over the next season or two, it will likely be thanks to him. The worry with a player taking up such an important role in a squad is that the team may find themselves lacking direction and ability without him. Perhaps this is why the “Fabregas is off to Barcelona” stories caused such a stir last summer. How exactly would the Gunners cope without their best player?

Admittedly, the Gunners have already had a taste of what a world without Fabregas would be like. Their captain has suffered with a niggling hamstring problem this season which has seen him ruled out of a number of games and lacking match fitness for a number more. Fabregas’ absence has had a positive knock-on affect for Arsenal: the rise to prominence of a certain young Jack Wilshere.

The talented 18-year-old midfielder is in the throes of his breakthrough season at the Emirates Stadium. He’s had a number of opportunities to impress and has really left his mark. It’s clear that he looks up to Fabregas. When asked about his relationship to the current Arsenal captain, Wilshere responded, “He’s a great leader and I want to be like that when I’m older. It’s always been part of my game, and that’s my aim really, to be Arsenal captain one day.”

Wilshere has all the qualities necessary to make a good Arsenal captain in the future. He’s talented, he can pass and he can get stuck in. He’s capable of leading by example and is not without a feisty and competitive side that will aid him in spurring his troops towards victory. He is without doubt a vital part of Arsenal’s future.

Cesc Fabregas’ Arsenal future, on the other hand, is littered with question marks. Despite his fondness for the club, its fans and Arsene Wenger, it’s highly unlikely that he’ll stay an Arsenal player for the rest of his career. He will at some stage make a move back to Barcelona. The question is not whether it will happen, but when it will happen.

In this respect, the Gunners should attempt to hold onto Cesc Fabregas for as long as possible. Not only is he a fantastic footballer, but he’s also a great role model for the Gunners’ younger players, including Wilshere. If the rumours of Barcelona making a £10 million bid for Arsenal midfielder Denilson are true, it could be that the Gunners midfield is about to become a little thinner. This will make Wenger even keener to keep hold of the assets that he has.

Whilst Wilshere represents the future of Arsenal football club, Fabregas represents the chance for success in the present. In this respect, Wilshere’s rise to prominence will not have Wenger pondering whether or not he can afford to let Fabregas head to Barcelona. My hope is that Wilshere stays a one-club man, who becomes an Arsenal great and that Fabregas remains with the Gunners for a long time.

Want to stay in the loop? Keep in touch with what’s going on, follow me on Twitter @ThePerfectPass

[divider]

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Buy Arsenal Champions League tickets here!

QPR midfielder Joey Barton has stated that his men will be motivated to beat Manchester City on the last day of the season, and that his former club should not celebrate lifting the Premier League title just yet.

Roberto Mancini’s men just need to beat relegation-threatened Rangers to lift their first top-flight crown since 1968, but the Loftus Road outfit need a point to ensure they avoid the drop.

Barton has warned City that they will face a motivated team, who they should not underestimate.

“I can’t wait for the game – I can’t wait to go to Man City,” he told Mirror Football.

“They expect us to turn up and them to probably stuff us and go on and win the league.

“If that is their attitude, they will get a reality check. It’s 11 men against 11 men, there is a lot of pressure out there – I can’t wait for it.

“We have one game to go and we are masters of our own destiny,” he concluded.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

By Gareth McKnight

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’left’]