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Andy Flower, England’s interim coach, has given a stark assessment of Steve Harmison’s position in the team and said he is currently not up to standard

Cricinfo staff04-Mar-2009
Andy Flower: ‘I don’t think by any means that Steve’s finished’ © Getty Images
Andy Flower, England’s interim coach, has given a stark assessment of Steve Harmison’s position in the team and said he is currently not up to standard.England travelled to Trinidad ahead of the final Test on Friday 1-0 down in the series after the high-scoring draw in Barbados, but Flower made clear there is unlikely to be a swift return for Harmison.Harmison was dropped for the Test at the Kensington Oval after two lacklustre performances in the series, and question marks are now being raised as to whether to can rekindle the required pace and hostility to lead the attack.”At the moment he hasn’t, otherwise he would have done it,” Flower said. “But I don’t think by any means that Steve’s finished. He’s still got a hell of a lot to offer. Fast bowling is long, hard workand at the age of 30 it is only going to get harder work, so it is up to Steve really. He’s got to put in the performances which make the selectors pick him time and time again. I’ve only known Steve a little while and we are still getting to know each other better now.”In his Sunday newspaper column, Harmison said he would seek talks with captain Andrew Strauss to learn what he has to do to win back his place. Flower, though, added that it was down to him to show that he still wants to put in the hard work required to succeed at the top level.”If hard work is just a base that you start with, that’s what he’s doing at the moment, but for you to be a successful international cricketer you have to be very hungry,” Flower said. “Only he knows how hungry he is to carry on the hard yakka of a fast bowler’s life. I think he still wants to do it: he’s proud of his career and proud to play for England.”England’s attack desperately lacks a cutting edge with Harmison a shadow of the bowler who blew West Indies away in 2004 and also without the injured Andrew Flintoff. Somehow they have to conjure up 20 wickets at Port of Spain if they are to level the series and retain the WisdenTrophy.”We hope that the Trinidad pitch does a bit and makes for more interesting cricket, let alone provide the chance for one of the sides to win,” Flower said. “Even though the pitches are flat, however, we also have to be looking at that subject of 20 wickets as well.”It seems unlikely that Ryan Sidebottom will retain his place after he struggled in Barbados, claiming 1 for 146 off 35 overs. Sidebottom’s selection was a surprise because a few days before the match Flower had spoken about his “chronic” Achilles problem and the ankle washurting again afterwards. Given all Sidebottom’s injury issues in the last six months his long-term future must now be in doubt.Once certain change for the final Test is the return of Matt Prior behind the stumps after he flew back to the Caribbean following paternity leave. His replacement, Tim Ambrose, hit an unbeaten 76 in the fourth Test and kept tidily, but will now move aside with Prior a contender to bat at No. 6 so England can play five bowlers.

West Ham United manager David Moyes has been hailed as ‘one of the best coaches’ by his former player, Nikica Jelavic.

The Lowdown: Jelavic under Moyes

Former Everton striker Jelavic played for the Toffees 69 times, scoring 21 games between 2012 and 2014, playing under Moyes for only one season.

After the Scotsman moved to Manchester United, Jelavic went on to play for Hull City, West Ham and enjoyed a few years in China before retiring in his nation Croatia with Lokomotiva.

In the 2012/13 campaign, Jelavic scored seven goals in 37 Premier League appearances in Moyes’ final season in charge at the club.

The Latest: ‘One of the best coaches’

Speaking to Croatian newspaper Večernji [via Sport Witness], Jelavic has claimed Moyes was different to other managers in the league because he would do it ‘all by himself’, and revealed a softer side to the Scotsman.

“Along with Walter Smith, Moyes is one of my favourite and best coaches in my career.

“You know that in England club managers have their many assistants who prepare and do training, but Moyes did it all himself, he’s a coach who liked to have everything under control. He worked a lot with the players.”

The Croatian also stated that the Hammers boss had ‘very good communication with the players’, revealing how personally supportive he is during spells of bad form.

The Verdict: Perfect at Rush Green

Jelavic’s words on Moyes will be brilliant to hear for West Ham fans. With the Hammers competing in the Europa League group stages for the first time in their history, having someone in charge like Moyes is crucial for a developing squad with limited high level experience.

With a smaller squad compared to most ‘big’ teams who compete in Europe, the manager’s accessible and personable approach will be a massive help if the Irons struggle while competing on four fronts.

Having such a hands-on coach who is comfortable with his players will be vital at Rush Green if the mood is low after a tricky Thursday night, with the turnaround to Premier League action at weekends so quick.

In other news, West Ham have set a minimum price for their star man amid further rumours. Find out more here.

Manchester City travel to Stamford Bridge today as they attempt to return to winning ways in the Premier League against Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea.

The Cityzens were held to a 0-0 draw by Southampton last weekend and Pep Guardiola could be looking for a strong response from his team against the Blues.

City beat Wycombe 6-1 in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night with a side consisting of numerous academy graduates, along with the likes of Phil Foden and Kevin de Bruyne.

How many changes will Pep make? Here is our predicted XI…

We are predicting that there will be seven changes to the side from midweek, with Ederson, Kyle Walker, Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte, Rodri and Jack Grealish all coming in.

In the defence, Ederson, Walker, Dias and Cancelo could all return to the team after watching on as City beat Wycombe. We also believe that Laporte will be reinstated to the starting XI after missing the last few games with a knock, taking Nathan Ake’s place at centre-back from the last Premier League match.

Laporte has played three league matches this season and averaged a sublime SofaScore rating of 7.57, with City conceding zero goals in those games. The Spaniard could be reintroduced against Chelsea to improve the visitors’ chances of stifling Romelu Lukaku.

Guardiola could stick with Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden after they managed two goals and two assists between them on Tuesday night. Rodri’s potential return to fitness could also see him move into the holding midfield role and be picked ahead of Fernandinho and Romeo Lavia, with the latter having played the full 90 minutes against Wycombe in midweek.

Finally, in attack we are predicting that Grealish will take up a position on the left wing ahead of Sterling. Ferran Torres and Riyad Mahrez managed three goals between them against Wycombe and could comprise two of the front three, whilst the summer signing from Aston Villa has started every league match this term and we do not believe that will change this weekend.

Sterling has one goal and zero assists in five Premier League matches this season and his lack of form in the top flight is why we are predicting that Guardiola will axe him from the starting line-up. He may instead be offered a chance to come off the bench and win his place back.

In other news: Man City wizard with seven key passes and 90 touches must have caught Pep’s eye against Wycombe

Hong Kong clinched the last semi-final berth after beating Qatar by 23 runs at the Prem Oval. Charlotte Chan, who picked up four wickets against Oman, took three more against Qatar, who were chasing 100. Rishika Reddy reduced Hong Kong to 17 for 3 before captain Keenu Gill and Manpreet Kaur revived the innings with a 30-run stand. Hong Kong are now likely meet Malaysia in the semi-final on Monday.Bhutan notched up their third win of the tournament beating Kuwait by 53 runs at the Chiang Mai Gymkhana. Yeshey Choden scored an unbeaten 40 and added 75 with Ugyen Dema to take Bhutan to 90. Then Anju Gurung took 4 for 3, including two in two overs twice, to skittle out Kuwait for 37. All her victims were dismissed for ducks. Captain Priyada Murali top scored for Kuwait with an unbeaten 16 off 46 balls.Singapore were no match for semi-finalists Malaysia, who restricted them to 57 for 8 in 25 overs to cinch a 46-run win at the Prem Oval. But despite the big margin of victory, Malaysia have a slim chance of topping group B for table leaders Nepal have a match in hand and a higher net run-rate. Thirty four extras and Nurhamamina Rajak’s 21 took Malaysia to 103 and they will be disappointed by their failure to bowl out Singapore. Apart from Priyanjali Jain (15) no Singapore batsman reached double figures.

يواجه فريق الكرة الأول بالنادي الأهلي نظيره الجونة غدًا الثلاثاء في مباراة مؤجلة من منافسات الدور الأول ببطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

وتقام المباراة على ملعب خالد بشارة في الجونة، وذلك في إطار مؤجلات الجولة التاسعة من المسابقة المحلية.

ويدخل الأهلي المباراة تحت قيادة البرتغالي ريكاردو سواريش المدير الفني الجديد، الذي نجح في الفوز مع الفريق في أولى مباريات عندما هزم بتروجيت بهدفين دون رد في نصف نهائي كأس مصر نسخة الموسم الماضي 2021.

واستبعد مدرب الأهلي كل من حسين الشحات وياسر إبراهيم من قائمة مباراة الغد بسبب الإصابة، فيما يغيب محمد عبد المنعم لإيقافه بسبب تراكم البطاقات الصفراء.

ويتواجد الأهلي في المركز الثالث برصيد 44 نقطة، حصدها من 20 مباراة فاز في 13 وتعادل في 5 وخسر مواجهتين.

ويحل الجونة في المركز الرابع عشر برصيد 21 نقطة، جمعها من 22 مباراة فاز في 6 منها وتعادل في 3 وخسر 13 لقاء.

طالع | اتحاد الكرة يعلن حكم مباراة الأهلي والجونة في الدوري المصري

واصطدم الأهلي بالجونة في 17 مباراة سابقة ضمن منافسات الدوري، نجح خلالها المارد الأحمر في تحقيق الفوز 10 مرات وخسرة لقاء وحيد وتعادل مع الفريق الساحلي في 6 مواجهات.

واستطاع الأهلي أن يهز شباك الجونة بـ27 هدفًا، في حين استقبل مرماه 11 هدفًا.

ويعد الفوز الأكبر في تاريخ مباريات الفريقين من نصيب الأهلي عندما انتصر بـ13 هدف دون رد في المباراة التي اقيمت ضمن منافسات دور الـ16 من بطولة كأس مصر في عام 2015.

وخيم التعادل على نتائج آخر 3 مباريات جمعت بين الفريقين في بطولة الدوري.

MatériaMais Notícias

Visando a aprtida de sábado, contra o Vila Nova, pela Série B, o técnico Vadão comandou o treino desta quarta-feira, sem alterações na equipe que venceu o Figueirense por 2 a 0, na última rodada. Diego Jussani e o atacante Eliandro, únicas dúvidas da equipe, treinaram normalmente e não preocupam a comissão técnica.

O confronto contra o Vila Nova será a reabertura dos portões do Brinco de Ouro. Nas últimas duas partidas disputadas lá, o Guarani não pôde receber seus torcedores, pela punição aplicada ao clube após a confusão ocorrida na final da Série C do ano passado, contra o Boa Esporte.

Depois de jogar contra o Vila Nova, o Bugre enfrenta o Boa Esporte, na terça-feira, às 19h15. O Guarani está neste momento na quarta posição na Série B do Brasileirão.

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Celtic, along with the likes of Crystal Palace and Leicester City, are monitoring Dundee United defender Kerr Smith, according to The Scottish Sun.

The Lowdown: Smith profiled

Smith is just 16 years of age and is under contract with his current employers for a further two years.

He’s made seven senior appearances for The Tangerines, two of which have come this season – he has been described as ‘fantastic’ by teammate Mark Connolly.

The Scot actually spent a week with Manchester United last year on trial, and it seems as if he could be on the move for good before the end of the month.

The Latest: Monday report

The Scottish Sun shared a story regarding Kerr on Monday lunchtime.

Within their report, they labelled Southampton as the frontrunners for the Scot and claimed that Celtic, Palace, Leeds and Leicester are all tracking the defender.

It seems as if the Hoops are weighing up a potential late swoop for Smith, even though they are also closing in on Shamrock Rovers defender Liam Scales in a deal worth £500,000.

The Scottish Sun are expecting the Dundee United board to move Smith on over the next six days.

The Verdict: Hjelde replacement?

Celtic look set to lose a young centre-back to Leeds in Leo Hjelde, so perhaps Smith could come in to replace the Norwegian going forward.

Smith is regarded as one of Scotland’s best young talents, so down the line, winning the race for the 16-year-old could turn out to be a real coup.

It seems as if Celtic will have to beat a number of Premier League clubs to his services, though, so it could be a big ask in the final days of the window.

In other news: ‘Great chance’ – 34 y/o feels £988k-p/y ace will be a Celtic player on Sep 1 after Romano claim. 

A spate of bomb attacks in India has caused some concern in Australia ahead of the four-Test tour in October and November 2008. Representatives from Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association, possibly a security consultant too, are due to leave for India on August 10 for an inspection.The concerns have emerged in the same week when players’ associations in Australia, England, New Zealand and South Africa have lambasted the ICC decision to go ahead with the Champions Trophy in Pakistan despite security concerns.Peter Young, Cricket Australia’s general manager of public affairs, was to discuss the situation with James Sutherland, the chief executive, the reported. “We have a principle which supports a consistent process of having a pre-tour inspection and assessment before every tour,” Young said.The BCCI, though, played down any talk of the tour being put off. “We don’t have to go by media reports,” Ratnakar Shetty, the BCCI chief administrative officer, told Cricinfo. “We will take a stand if it has to be taken and we don’t have to publicly announce it”Australia had postponed its tour to Pakistan earlier this year, after a series of bomb blasts rocked the country. Players such as Ricky Ponting and Andrew Symonds had expressed their concern over the visit in March-April, and have reiterated the same ahead of the team’s defence of the Champions Trophy in September.The proposed tour begins with the first Test in Bangalore on October 9. Bangalore was hit by a series of blasts on Friday, though the low intensity of the explosives caused marginal damage.

Reliable reporter Alan Nixon has admitted he is ‘expecting’ Celtic to make ‘panic moves soon’ when it comes to transfers.

The Lowdown: Plenty of rumours

Ange Postecoglou has made three big-money signings so far this summer in Liel Abada, Kyogo Furuhashi and Carl Starfelt.

There have been plenty of rumours since those three deals went through, with right-backs Aurelio Buta and Josip Juranovic and goalkeepers Joe Hart and Ben Foster linked with a move to Parkhead. There have also been rumours in France to forwards Diego Costa and Jean-Kevin Augustin.

However, Starfelt remains Celtic’s latest addition, with that transfer going through nine days ago.

Since then, the Hoops have been knocked out of the Champions League, and Nixon didn’t exactly have good news for Celtic supporters.

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The Latest: Nixon’s post

Nixon, who writes for The Sun, was asked by a Celtic fan if the Hoops were close to any signings on Thursday afternoon.

He replied, admitting he has ‘not heard anything’ – a worrying three-word update.

“Not heard anything … but expecting panic moves soon.”

The Verdict: Not ideal…

With Nixon not hearing of any potential Celtic incomings, it appears to be a worrying time in Glasgow.

The Hoops get their Scottish Premiership campaign underway on Saturday evening and, to take right-back, for instance, Postecoglou has two inexperienced players in Anthony Ralston and Lee O’Connor to choose from against Hearts.

Postecoglou has also used two different ‘keepers in Vasilis Barkas and Scott Bain in his two competitive games, so a new shot-stopper appears needed as well.

However, it seems as if Celtic fans will have to wait even longer for any more additions.

In other news: ‘Also…’ – Sky Sports drop live TV claim revealing £33k-p/w Celtic target; he loves Parkhead. 

West Bromwich Albion manager Valerien Ismael is facing a nightmare transfer scenario at The Hawthorns this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a Steve Madeley report for The Athletic, who claims that Albion are in desperate need of a new centre-forward ahead of their upcoming Championship campaign. However, without raising funds through the sale of some of the club’s current players, Ismael’s transfer kitty will not allow for a big-money addition to his attacking arsenal in the summer transfer window.

Madeley goes on to state that the most likely way of the Baggies raising money this summer would be by sanctioning the departures of both Matheus Pereira and Sam Johnstone, with it being claimed the pair would bring in over £30m – even at significantly reduced asking prices.

Finally, it is said that, in the event that the Frenchman does not cash in on either of his most valuable stars, he will have to turn his attention to out-of-favour Premier League forwards or an up-and-coming young goalscorer in the transfer market.

Nightmare scenario

Considering just how impressive both Pereira and Johnstone were for West Brom last season, it is undeniable that losing either of the two this summer would put a significant dent in the club’s hopes of securing an immediate return to the Premier League next season.

Indeed, over his 33 Premier League appearances last term, the £13.5m-rated Pereira bagged 11 goals, registered six assists and created a whopping 11 big chances for his teammates, with these returns seeing the £39k-per-week winger earning a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.18.

Meanwhile, over Johnstone’s 37 Premier League appearances, the £7.2m-rated goalkeeper kept six clean sheets and made a total of 166 saves throughout the season, with these metrics seeing the £28k-per-week shot-stopper earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.03.

Unsurprisingly, these ratings saw Pereira and Johnstone rank as the Baggies’ top two performers in the Premier League last season, demonstrating their importance to the team.

However, as Madeley states, with Mbaye Diagne returning to Galatasaray following his loan spell at The Hawthorns last year, it is indeed true that Ismael is short of options in attack ahead of next season. A proven goalscorer very much appears to be a necessity if Albion wish to give themselves the best shot at promotion.

As such, it would seem as if the Frenchman is stuck between something of a rock and a hard place, with the 45-year-old having to decide whether his team’s need for goals is greater than an incredibly solid option in between the sticks or a massive creative influence from the wing – a headache it is certain will be keeping the manager up at night.

In other news: West Brom transfer news confirmed on “exciting” highly-rated gem, fan surely buzzing