The Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to defend Mohammad Yousuf and said that the Indian Cricket Leage (ICL) cannot stop him from playing for his country after the league organisers sent out a legal notice to the batsman.”The ICL has no case against Yousuf and they cannot stop him from playing for Pakistan,” Nasim Ashraf, chairman PCB, told the . “Yousuf did sign a contract with them but later he changed his mind and cancelled it. As a player he had the right to opt for any offer which he thought was better for him.”Yousuf, who after cancelling his contract with the ICL, signed a national contract as well as signing up to play in the India Premier League (IPL), a recognised league that is run by four different national boards and is approved by the ICC. He was served a legal notice by the ICL after several attempts to contact him failed.”We can confirm that we have indeed sent out a notice to Yousuf,” Ashish Kaul, executive president of the ICL, told Cricinfo last week. “We have been trying to reach out to him and sent out three reminders to discuss some crucial issues after the PCB clarified recently that Yousuf will not play in the ICL and make himself available for Pakistan.”However, Ashraf rejected the impression that the ICL can use any legal ways to stop Yousuf from playing for Pakistan in India next month. “The ICL is claiming that they will not stop any of their recruits from playing for their country then how can they stop Yousuf from representing Pakistan.”The ICL did have a clause in their contract that said that a player cannot give priority to national duty over the ICL but now they say that the clause has been removed and they claim that their players can leave the league to play for their national teams whenever required. I believe in such circumstances they have no justification to stop Yousuf from playing in India.”Ashraf confirmed that if the matter was to go to court, Yousuf will have the full backing of the PCB. “We will fully defend Yousuf, if he is taken to court using all legal means.”Yousuf recently represented Pakistan in the second Test against South Africa and is currently involved in the five-match ODI series against the same opposition, where he scored a match-winning hundred in the second match in Lahore.
Shandre Fritz has been announced as South Africa’s captain at the age of just 21. Fritz will take the reins for the five-match ODI home series against Pakistan which starts on January 20 and takes place in Pretoria.She has vowed to play brave cricket and follow her male counterpart – and fellow young skipper – Graeme Smith by leading from the front. “I am not a big talker,” the allrounder Fritz admitted, “but will try to lead by example. I am young and leading an inexperienced side, but there are some very old heads in the team, too.”One of those is the 17-year-old Johmari Logtenburg, who has been announced as vice-captain for the series. Logtenburg, a hard-hitting batsman of natural talent, already has considerable international experience under her belt, having played two Tests and 19 one-dayers.There are four players lining up for their debut against Pakistan. Annelie Minnie, Marcia Letsaolo, Tricia Chetty and Sunette Loubser have all been included.But there is no place for the up-and-coming wicketkeeper Yolandi van der Westhuizen of Western Province: while she was invited to the national training camp, she could not attend. Yet the national coach Noor Rhode expects her to be pressing for national honours and to put pressure on Chetty and Shafieka Pillay.South Africa could also tour India in 2007. The BCCI have invited the South Africans over but the South African board has yet to approve the tour and offer funding.Squad Alicia Smith, Annelie Minnie, Ashlyn Kilowan, Claire Terblanche, Cri-Zelda Brits, Daleen Terblanche, Johmari Logtenberg, Marcia Letsoalo, Shafeeqa Pillay, Shandre Fritz (capt), Sunette Loubser, Susan Benade, Tricia Chetty (wk).Fixtures 1st ODI – 20 January (Laudium) 2nd ODI – 22 January (Harlequins) 3rd ODI – 23 January (Sinovich Park) 4th ODI – 26 January (Sinovich Park) 5th ODI – 27 January (Harlequins)
Travis Birt and David Dawson rescued Tasmania from a disastrous start as they ended a wind-swept opening day of their Pura Cup match against Victoria on a respectable 5 for 299. Gerard Denton, the right-arm fast bowler, snaffled both openers, Jamie Cox and Michael Di Venuto, for ducks, but Birt (93) and Dawson (73) put together 171 for the third wicket to steady the Tasmanians at Bellerive Oval.After the early success, Victoria had to wait more than 50 overs for their next wicket, when Cameron White, their captain, nailed Birt. White claimed two more dismissals as well, ending the day with fine figures of 3 for 48, but Tasmania continued to build useful partnerships – Scott Kremerskothen and Sean Clingeleffer added an undefeated 71 for the sixth to frustrate the Victorians. At the close of play, Kremerskothen was on 32, with Clingeleffer unbeaten on 44.”It would have been nice to get three figures up on the board … as it turns out we’re in a fairly strong position,” Birt said. “We were going to bat first anyway but how it turned out … me and ‘Daws’ really stuck together and really fought it hard out there and yeah, we’re pretty happy with that.”The strong winds may have been to Dawson’s advantage as the umpires were forced to remove the bails after they kept blowing off. At one stage, Dawson appeared to play the ball into his stumps, but neither umpire could be sure that it had actually struck the wicket.
After the 491-run hammering that Pakistan were subjected to in Perth, Bob Woolmer suggested that mental fragility had been the reason for the debacle. And the former Australian captain Greg Chappell, for one, believes that Pakistan need to adopt a far more postive approach if they are even to contemplate competing on an even keel with Australia.A report in the newspaper quoted Chappell as saying: “I think Pakistan has a similar problem that New Zealand had and many other sides have had against Australia in recent times. They [the Pakistanis] are going out there with the wrong mindset. They are going out there to survive, rather than prosper. The survival mentality is a negative mentality.”Chappell reckoned that Pakistan would do well to learn from India’s performances in Australia a year ago, when they ruined Steve Waugh’s farewell with a 1-1 draw. “The only team that have played Australia positively in recent times has been India and they actually performed quite well,” he said, before mentioning the famous case of Daryll Cullinan, an otherwise fine batsman who was reduced to an inept wreck by Shane Warne.”Cullinan was a very good player but he was reduced to looking like a schoolboy every time he batted against Warne because of what he was thinking about.”The technical frailties of the Pakistani batsmen were ruthlessly exposed by Glenn McGrath, who picked up the eye-popping figures of 8 for 24 as Pakistan subsided for just 72 in a truly abysmal second-innings display. Chappell, though, was of the opinion that excising fear from their minds would go a long way towards combatting a formidable bowling line-up.”If they go out with a positive approach to actually trying to score some runs, then they may find improvement in their techniques,” he said. “If they are thinking positively, they are more likely to move positively.”Pakistan haven’t won a Test match against Australia for nine years, and have now lost seven on the bounce to them. Even if they heed Chappell’s advice, it will take a minor miracle to prevent that unwelcome run stretching to eight.
IN Memoriam:To the Campbell family and friends.Andrew Campbell, brother of Sakatchewan Cricket Association former President, Collin Campbell, died in a boating accident last Saturday. Autopsy and other details are still incomplete.Memorial services are scheduled to be held in Fort MacMurray and in Regina, Saskatchewan.Funeral services are scheduled to be held in Mississauga, Ontario on Saturday 9th August, 2003.To the Fakira Family:CCA Senior National Selector and former Director, Teddy Fakira, has received news of the death of a brother in Trinidad & Tobago, due to coronary disease.This is the second death for this family in the past month.We extend our sincere condolences to these families from the Cricket communities in Canada.
New Zealand might have been struggling in Brisbane against Australia today, but the New Zealand Academy were untroubled in beating the Queensland Academy.Brendon McCullum and Jamie How went for their target of 121 runs from the outset bringing up their 50 runs off only 53 balls. How showed he was just as capable as McCullum at scoring quickly.By the time 10 overs were up the Academy had 59 runs on the board. However, the arrival of Matthew Anderson at the bowling crease bore immediate reward when How drove in the air to mid on where the catch was held with How having reached 30.Chris Harris joined McCullum due to other commitments later in the day but the batsmen were scoring so well, he was to be untroubled.McCullum was in charge, hitting 10 fours in his 50, achieving the milestone off 50 balls.The 100 came up off 98 balls, in 72 minutes.McCullum finished with 57 off 63 balls and Harris chimed in with 33 off 25 as only 20.2 overs were needed to complete a nine-wicket win.New Zealand’s Academy director Dayle Hadlee said: “The size of the victory was surprising given the position of the QAS at the conclusion of the first day.”The NZCA bowlers utilised the conditions more consistently by bowling a fuller length, the fielders out-performed the visitors and the batsmen scored more consistently and played more positively on a pitch that was familiar to them.”The game completes the 2001 Academy intake’s playing programme.
Luke Wright has been named as Sussex’s captain across all three formats for the 2016 season, following Ed Joyce’s decision to stand down in the wake of the club’s relegation from Division One of the LV= County Championship.Wright, 30, took charge of Sussex’s T20 fortunes last season, leading his side to the quarter-finals of the NatWest T20 Blast. However, it was in first-class cricket that he made his biggest impression, scoring 1,220 runs at 46.92, including a career-best 226 not out against Worcestershire.”I am hugely proud and honoured to be the captain of this fantastic club,” Wright said. “To think that I am following in the footsteps of some great captains is a massive privilege.”Mine and the coaches’ challenge is to get this club back to winning ways. This starts with not only trying to get back to Division One, but to create a culture that can challenge to win it.”Sussex’s Championship campaign was undermined by a spate of injuries, particularly to their stable of fast bowlers, with Tymal Mills, Ajmal Shahzad and Chris Jordan all ruled out at various stages of the season. Michael Yardy, the former club captain, retired at the end of the season while Joyce stood down to concentrate on his batting after averaging 32.88 for the campaign.”Thanks to all the Sussex supporters for sticking with us through what has been a difficult summer but hopefully good times are ahead,” Wright said.”We also need to be successful in all forms and I was delighted with the improvements we made this season in the T20 competition, but a lot of hard work is required by all to achieve these goals.”Mark Robinson, Sussex’s team manager, said: “We’re delighted that Luke has accepted the offer of captaincy. It comes at an important time for the club, as we look to rebuild and come back stronger for the 2016 season.”Luke will bring a lot of experience from around the world, as well as passion, commitment and energy. He will have the full respect from everybody from within the club and the game.”
Liverpool are interested in signing Benfica and Uruguay forward Darwin Nunez in the summer transfer window, according to a fresh transfer rumour.
The Lowdown: Nunez impressing in Portugal
The 22-year-old has been making a name for himself in Portugal in recent times, having joined Benfica from Almeria in 2020.
Nunez has scored an incredible 18 goals in just 17 Primeira Liga starts so far this season, and his manager Jorge Jesus has even tipped him to be the ‘best in the world’ one day.
Liverpool have recently signed Luis Diaz from a top Portuguese club in Porto and it could be that Nunez is next on the list.
The Latest: Liverpool keen on move for Nunez
That’s according to Football Insider, who claimed that a Reds source has confirmed the club’s interest in the Uruguayan.
Liverpool are thought to be ‘closely monitoring’ Nunez’s current situation, with his current deal at Benfica not expiring until the summer of 2025.
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The Verdict: Long-term regular?
Nunez looks like a hugely exciting prospect, and while Liverpool are incredibly well-stocked in attacking areas, it is vital to plan for the future.
Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino are all in and around 30 years of age and won’t go on forever, and with Diaz and Dioga Jota as younger alternatives, it could be that Nunez is seen as the final piece in the jigsaw in terms of the Reds’ next great front three.
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His record this season speaks for itself and he could come in as more of a squad player to begin with, potentially even joining as a replacement for someone like Firmino, should the Brazilian move on suddenly.
In other news, one Liverpool player has been backed to join another Premier League club. Find out who it is here.
Yuvraj Singh and Hardik Pandya were brought into the Indian T20 side to address the lack of big hitters, but there is a good chance they might come back from Australia having contributed only with the ball and in the field. If what MS Dhoni says is to be gone by, another good start by the top three in the final T20 international could mean no batting for Yuvraj and Pandya. Dhoni said he was against experimentation even though India wrapped up the series win in Melbourne, but then again Dhoni also ruled out playing Rishi Dhawan precisely two days before he was picked in the ODI XI.The final T20I in Sydney on Sunday will be a dead rubber, and Dhoni was asked if India would go out of the way to see what potential Pandya held and what kind of form Yuvraj was in. “It is a difficult one,” Dhoni said. “Experiment word is never there with the Indian team. It is never there. Yes we want to see what Yuvraj will do in the batting, we want to see what Hardik can do, but where is the opportunity? That also we have to see.”We can’t make them open. Virat [Kohli] is batting very well at No. 3. If the partnership goes on, and if it is the 15th or the 16th over, then it is my time to come in and play the big shots. It will be difficult for them, but with a few of the games coming up maybe they will get better chances. But as I said there won’t be any experimentation. If an opportunity arises definitely they will get a chance to bat.”Yuvraj and Pandya, though, have freed Dhoni up to play around with his bowling options. After Australia got off to a good start in their chase, R Ashwin picked up a wicket to give India a sniff, but by that time India’s four main bowlers had exhausted 10 of their overs. This was a crucial period with Australia past half of their target at the halfway mark. The next two overs were bowled by Pandya and Yuvraj, and both brought a wicket each.”The strength of the piechucker [Yuvraj] is his bowling,” Dhoni joked. “He bowled really well. You need more individuals who can do more than one job in the field. Especially if all of them are good fielders, and if they can contribute with bat and ball if needed. Just adds to the strength of the side. Sometimes in T20 you need to bowl only one over, and once the captain has given you that one over, irrespective of whether it is good or bad that one over is out of the equation. That actually helps you. That one over. By the time the batsman figures out what you are trying to do you get rid of one over.”It helps us because Pandya also bowled decently well (1 for 17 in two overs). Both of them together will be very good. Not to forget we have [Suresh] Raina too. If needed he can also bowl if there are many left-handers in the opposition. Yuvi bowled really well, hit the areas, and with time he will get better and better because he is that sort of player.”Pandya has really impressed Dhoni, and might leapfrog Rishi and Stuart Binny as the seaming allrounder in ODIs too. While counting the positives from the tour, Dhoni said: “Also the performance of Hardik as a bowler. Still it will be tough for him to bowl 10 overs in an ODI game but if others are contributing a few overs here and there then we can look to have him in the side. That can strengthen our batting also and at the same time put pressure on the opposition.”It is in foreign conditions that India really need that extra seamer because the spinners become less effective, and this is where Dhoni wants the ICC, too, to stop experimenting. When asked about the luxury his spinners provide him, Dhoni said: “All of a sudden the spinners are bowling well. Not like they were bowling badly but we have to see the rule changes also. I think it is quite against the spinners. I feel they will have to do something with the rules [in ODIs]. In T20 you have the five fielders outside throughout. You have that extra fielder [as opposed to ODIs where only four fielders are allowed outside the circle until the start of the 41st over]. Let’s see how it goes.”
Dilip Vengsarkar, India’s chairman of selectors, has expressed confidence in Mahendra Singh Dhoni as captain.”I have been watching Dhoni from close quarters for quite some time now. I found him to be a very good student of the game,” Vengsarkar told . Before his appointment as captain following Rahul Dravid’s resignation, the selection panel had elevated Dhoni to vice-captain for the tour to England. “He is extremely focussed, down to earth and very disciplined. He is modest about his achievements and possesses good man-management skills. He has all the qualities of a good captain.”Vengsarkar has been at the helm of India’s selection affairs for over a year now, a period in which the team had an early exit at the World Cup in the West Indies, followed by a win at the recently-concluded World Twenty20 in South Africa. “Well, it was rather satisfactory because, apart from the early exit from the World Cup, the team did reasonably well, winning a Test for the first time in South Africa,” he said about his tenure. He indicated that he was undaunted by the task. “I have been selecting teams for a decade and a half. It is nothing new.”Vengsarkar also said the selectors’ decision to bring back Sourav Ganguly and Zaheer Khan was vindicated by their performances. “There has to be a good blend of youth and experience in the team. In the Tests, temperament plays a major role,” he said. “Though Sourav and Zaheer were not in the best of forms when selected, as selectors, it was important for us to back our gut feeling.”On Munaf Patel, Vengsarkar said he could be recalled if his regains both form and fitness. “Munaf has the potential to become the front-line bowler for India. However, he must realise that to bowl consistently fast match after match, he must be extremely fit. He just cannot be a line-and-length bowler, not in Test cricket.”