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Namibia can make significant strides towards their first Intercontinental Cup final when they take on bottom-of-the-table Bermuda in Hamilton. They are currently second in the table, level on points with Scotland, but have two games in hand

Cricinfo staff01-Sep-2008
Gerrie Snyman is a key part of Namibia’s strong batting line-up © Getty Images
Namibia can make significant strides towards their first Intercontinental Cup final when they take on bottom-of-the-table Bermuda in Hamilton. They are currently second in the table, level on points with Scotland, but have two games in hand.Once again they are boosted by having a full-strength squad available, a factor which has been in their favour during the tournament while other sides have struggled to field their best elevens.Their quartet of Burgers (Louis, Sarel, JB and Kola) form the backbone of the side. They are supported by Gerrie Snyman, who scored 230 out of a total of 282 to set up victory against Kenya in January, as well as Louis Klazinga and Bjorn Kotze, who have also performed well in the tournament so far.Also included in the squad is 18-year-old Bernard Scholtz, a slow left-armer who impressed during this year’s Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia. Scholtz, whose 21-year-old brother Nicolaas is also in the squad, could make his debut on Wednesday.”Bernard was one of the top bowlers in Malaysia last February and I have been impressed with him,” said coach Johan Rudolph. “He is still in school and very young but we thought he would benefit from being here. Whether he makes the final eleven for the match will depend on pitch conditions and how he goes in the nets but he is certainly one to watch for the future.”An outright win for Namibia would almost guarantee a spot in November’s final although mathematically there would still be a chance that both Kenya and Ireland could overtake them.”We are well prepared for this,” said Rudolph. “Everyone is fit and ready to go and I am very happy with our preparations. To get to the final or win this tournament would be huge for Namibian cricket. It would mean a hell of a lot to us and our sponsors. We are competing as a [ICC World Cricket League] Division 2 side against Division 1 teams in this competition and we are competing well. If we win it, it will be great for the sport in our country.”Our strength probably lies in our seam attack. We are able to put sides under pressure with our consistency and pace,” he added. “Then we have a few individual batsmen capable of scoring big runs. Altogether I am very happy with how we are developing.”For Bermuda, the only thing left to play for in this year’s Intercontinental Cup is pride and a place off the bottom of the table. A win for Irving Romaine’s team would lift them two places, ahead of United Arab Emirates and the 2006-07 finalist Canada, who are locked in joint-seventh position on 29 points.Namibia (from) Louis Burger (captain), Raymond van Schoor, JB Burger, Sarel Burger, Gerrie Snyman, Deon Kotze, Bjorn Kotze, Tobie Verwey, Craig Williams, Kola Burger, Nicolaas Scholtz, Bernard Scholtz, LP van der Westhuizen, Louis KlazingaBermuda (from) Irving Romaine (captain), Rodney Trott, Jekon Edness, Lionel Cann, Dwayne Leverock, Stephen Outerbridge, Ryan Steede, Christopher Douglas, Deloyne Borden, Oronde Bascome, Tamauri Tucker, Stefan Kelly, George O’Brien, Kyle Hodsoll

Kenya 6 41 0 0 1 96 1.3672075/73 2079/100 Namibia 5 50 0 0 0 82 1.2562390/83 2246/98 Scotland 7 31 0 2 1 82 1.3021969/69 1972/90 Ireland 5 30 0 2 0 72 2.6252261/38 1700/75 Netherlands 7 34 0 0 0 48 0.7713050/128 3030/98 U.A.E. 7 15 0 1 0 29 0.7873024/124 3129/101 Canada 7 15 0 1 0 29 0.7822814/114 3094/98 Bermuda 6 15 0 0 0 26 0.6552513/120 2846/89

Luke Edwards has revealed what he has been told about Newcastle United’s transfer business in the summer window.

The Lowdown: No incomings

The St. James’ Park faithful currently remain the only club in the Premier League yet to make a signing this summer (Sky Sports).

They have been linked with moves for a few players recently, including the likes of Hamza Choudhury and Axel Tuanzebe.

The Latest: Edwards on transfers

Writing on his official Twitter page, The Daily Telegraph journalist Edwards has claimed that new players will be coming to the North East, despite progress remaining “slow”:

“Assured new players will definitely be arriving.”

The Verdict: Promising

It is certainly promising to hear that the Tyneside club will be bringing in some new faces before the window shuts.

However, with only a couple of weeks to go until the new 2021/22 Premier League season starts, they really need to get a move on, as every other team in and around them are strengthening.

Steve Bruce’s side will likely explore the possibility of signing Joe Willock from Arsenal again, whether that be on another loan deal or a permanent move, but nothing is a guarantee in the transfer market, and so the Magpies should really be acting now rather than later.

Nonetheless, the Toon Army will be praying Edwards is right about seeing some fresh faces, whether fan favourite Willock is one of them or not.

In other news, find out which ‘outstanding’ top-flight ace NUFC are favourites to sign here!

Khaled Mashud, the former Bangladesh wicketkeeper, who announced his retirement from international cricket on Sunday, has said a lack of communication from the selectors made things difficult for senior players like him

Cricinfo staff29-Sep-2008
Khaled Mashud: “I am a senior player and I think there should be an understanding with the selection committee” © AFP
Khaled Mashud, the former Bangladesh wicketkeeper, who announced his retirement from international cricket on Sunday, has said a lack of communication from the selectors made it difficult for senior players like him. Mashud, 32, said his omission from the squad for the upcoming New Zealand series made him realise he wouldn’t be part of the selectors’ plans in the near future.”I am a senior player and I think there should be an understanding with the selection committee,” Mashud told the Dhaka-based . “They could have talked with me. Ian Healy once told me the Australian board informed him a month in hand that he would not be around. I think if that practice was undertaken by our board, it would be a little less painful for senior cricketers like me.” His contract, along with those of Javed Omar and Mohammad Rafique, was not renewed by the board in December 2007.Mashud also denied reports that he had asked the Bangladesh board for a farewell match. “I read in a few papers that I asked the board for a game. I cannot do that since I am a professional cricketer. I know that only the best performers play for the country and I would never tell the board to bring me in just for a farewell match. I did not play cricket for so long to beg for a match.”Mashud was replaced by Mushfiqur Rahim for the 2007 World Cup and he said he had tried hard to make a comeback. “They [selectors] told me my batting was failing me, so I concentrated on that. Then they told me I didn’t keep regularly in the National Cricket League. Is it a crime to not keep for three or four matches in an entire season?”People in the street ask me when I will be back for Bangladesh and I had no answer for them. In such a difficult time for our cricket, I thought it would have been quite a challenge to play again.”Mashud said the most memorable moment of his career was the ICC Trophy win in Malaysia in 1997. Bangladesh were chasing 166 in 25 overs and Mashud, with 15 off seven balls, was there to guide them to a final-ball win. “Whoever I am is because of that ICC Trophy final. There would be no Khaled Mashud or Mohammad Ashraful if we didn’t win that match. It was the turning point and we united Bangladesh with that win.”He was appointed as a consultant by the Bangladesh board’s games development committee along with Aminul Islam and Mohammad Rafique to coach age-group and academy cricketers in August. Mashud said he was keen to pass on his experience to youngsters, while still playing first-class cricket.

The ICC have decided on the four series in which they will extend their trial of the umpire review system, beginning with New Zealand’s two-Test battle against West Indies in December

Cricinfo staff14-Oct-2008
“The idea of further trials would be to provide exposure to the system for as many match referees, umpires and players as possible” © AFP
The ICC have decided on the four series in which they will extend their trial of the umpire review system, beginning with New Zealand’s two-Test battle against West Indies in December.The system has caused debate and controversy since it was first trialled in England in 2007, and it received mixed reactions on its international debut between Sri Lanka and India earlier this year.The idea to extend the trial was agreed upon by the ICC on the first day of their board meeting in Dubai, subject to agreement by the relevant chief executives of the participating country boards. After the series between New Zealand and West Indies, the system will be tried on India versus Pakistan, England’s four Tests against West Indies, and the three-match series between South Africa and Australia.”The idea of further trials would be to provide exposure to the system for as many match referees, umpires and players as possible ahead of a decision on whether it should be implemented permanently,” the ICC said in a release on Tuesday. “That would be something to be debated by the ICC’s cricket committee in April and May next year.”Another decision taken at the meeting was South Africa’s nomination as hosts of the World Cup qualifier tournament in 2009, pending agreement from the South African board, after the original hosts UAE stated they can’t stage the event because their stadiums won’t be ready in time.Alternatives to bilateral tours once current FTP runs out in May 2012 were also discussed, including the possibility of an enhanced Test championship which the ICC’s chief executives committee will again look at in December.The possibility of cricket being a part of future Olympics Games was brought to the table. ICC will have to apply to the International Olympic Council before 2013 if it is to be part of the 2020 Games.

Celtic have entered the new season needing more recruits than you can count on two hands.

The Hoops have suffered consecutive losses and with more player exits likely on the horizon, this squad may only get worse.

On the chalkboard

One area that’s of blatant concern to Celtic right now is in defence.

They shipped 16 more goals than Rangers in the Premiership last term and they have started 2021/22 in a similar light.

They conceded three times across the two legs with Midtjylland and then let in another two goals to newly promoted Hearts on the opening day of the season.

The Bhoys are without a proven right-back and have also lost Kristoffer Ajer. However, there are also issues on the left-hand side where Diego Laxalt hasn’t been replaced.

Ange Postecoglou has looked towards Greg Taylor as his main option so far but they could still choose from Boli Bolingoli and the young Adam Montgomery.

Taylor hasn’t been hugely convincing in the early weeks. He was particularly abject in the first leg of Champions League qualifying, losing possession 18 times and winning just two of seven ground duels.

The solution

Postecoglou could upgrade on Taylor this summer by securing the services of Lee Buchanan.

The left-sided Derby star has attracted the interest of Celtic in the last few weeks and could be snapped up fairly easily.

His club survived relegation from the Championship to League One last term but have been handed a suspended points deduction after failing to pay their players.

The future of Buchanan and his club remains distinctly unclear but Celtic could hand him a get out of jail card.

Judging by words from his manager, Wayne Rooney, he’d be a stellar acquisition too. England’s all-time record goalscorer once said: “He’s a top, top player. I’d argue he’s one of the best young left-backs in the country. And he can go to another level as well….no….he’s a real top player.”

Despite playing at the lower end of the second tier in England, he’s already been handed two U21 caps for his country and looks an incredibly promising player for the future.

The 20-year-old proved he can be creative by picking up three assists last season but it’s in defensive areas where he’s more convincing than Taylor.

Buchanan was successful with 1.6 tackles per game last season which happened to be 0.1 more than Taylor. Furthermore, the youngster won a whopping 2.9 aerial battles per match which was streets ahead of Celtic’s main option.

By comparison, the Hoops’ number 3 won only 1.1 aerial duels per outing. With that in mind, Buchanan would be a very smart signing.

AND in other news, Ange can finally axe Celtic’s “walking joke” by signing “very dominant” 6ft3 colossus…

Sheffield United forward Daniel Jebbison could be heading for the Bramall Lane exit door on a temporary basis, Slavisa Jokanovic has revealed. 

The lowdown

Jebbison burst onto the scene for the Blades, as he scored on his debut against Everton in a 1-0 win over the Toffees towards the end of the 2020/21 season.

It was a frustrating league campaign for Sheffield United, as they were relegated from the Premier League after a disappointing campaign in the top-flight.

Jebbison made four appearances in all competitions last term for the Blades, and is likely to be behind a number of other options Jokanovic has at his disposal this season.

The Sun have recently reported that the likes of Sunderland, Burton Albion and Doncaster Rovers are all rumoured to be interested in a deal to sign Jebbison on a temporary basis this summer.

The latest

Speaking in an interview after Jebbison featured in their 1-0 win over Carlisle United in the First Round of the EFL Cup (quotes sourced from The Star), Blades boss Slavisa Jokanovic revealed that Jebbison could head out on loan for the 2021/22 campaign.

“When one guy is out [Mousset], it’s a chance for all the players and Jebbo is one of the important products from our academy. We believe he has to be on the field, which is the only reason we’re thinking about a situation of loaning him.”

The verdict

A loan move elsewhere is likely to be the ideal option for all parties involved here. Jebbison impressed in his breakthrough season last term, but it’s understandable that he might not feature much this season, as Jokanovic has more experienced options to call on in the Championship.

The likes of Lys Mousset, Oliver McBurnie, Rhian Brewster, Billy Sharp and David McGoldrick are all likely to be ahead of Jebbison in the pecking order at Bramall Lane this term, and a loan move elsewhere could provide him with the ideal opportunity to further his development in senior football.

BBC Sport’s Garth Crooks labelled Jebbison as an ‘interesting’ talent as he named him in his Team of the Week back in May 2021, so it will be beneficial for the Blades to see that talent develop week in week out.

Andrew Symonds has insisted he will not owe his team-mates anything when he returns to the Australia team on Friday for a Twenty20 match against an All-Stars line-up

Brydon Coverdale10-Nov-2008
Andrew Symonds is looking forward to a night with his mates after being picked for Friday’s Twenty20 match © Getty Images
Andrew Symonds has insisted he will not owe his team-mates anything when he returns to the Australia team on Friday for a Twenty20 match against an All-Stars line-up. Symonds will be part of a side led by Michael Clarke, who was the stand-in captain in Darwin in August, when Symonds was cut from the squad for his ongoing lax attitude.Clarke was an integral part of the team leadership group’s decision to dismiss Symonds following his now infamous fishing trip. For the past couple of months Symonds has undertaken a welfare programme to help him improve his mindset and he is keen to move on rather than looking back at how the situation unfolded.”I don’t really look at life like that,” Symonds said. “I made a mistake and I admitted that. No, I’m not going in there to give anything back to them, I just want to make a go of the opportunity I’ve been given now.”While his Test colleagues were fighting against the tide in the fourth Test in India, Symonds was speaking at the MCG, where he was given a resounding endorsement from Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland. But for a man who swears his off-field attitude has improved, Symonds was unapologetically brusque in answering questions about his comeback.Few players truly enjoy facing the media but most manage to plough through without any outward displays of annoyance. That has always been extra difficult for Symonds and on the eve of his return to the national setup, his usual sarcasm was on display. When asked if he had addressed his team-mates as a group or apologised to them for his past beheaviour, or whether he planned to do so, he was typically curt.”They’ve been in India, as you probably would realise, and I’ve been here, so it’s been quite difficult to do that,” Symonds said. “But I have spoken to a number of them over the last couple of weeks.”You keep going down this apology line. I am regreful for what I did. But at the same time, when people make mistakes … in my vision it’s not about going out and making it up to people. It’s about me getting on with it and doing something positive.”It has been just over two months since Symonds’ fishing trip in Darwin, not a particularly lengthy period for a man with ten years of international cricket under his belt. But with Australia failing to match India and Shane Watson establishing himself as a Test allrounder, it has seemed like an age for Symonds.”It’s felt like a long time for me,” he said. “You’ve never played cricket for Australia. Being dropped from the team is not a great feeling and I want that back and on Friday night I’ve been given that opportunity. I’m really looking forward to that, getting back out there with my green and gold jumper on and enjoying a night out with my mates.”The next question for Australia’s selectors is whether to rush Symonds back into the Test side for the home series against New Zealand, which begins at the Gabba in less than a fortnight. A 2-0 loss to India has raised issues with the line-up but the No. 6 Watson has been a consistent performer. Symonds said he was hopeful of a call-up but his first-class form has been poor: in three Sheffield Shield outings for Queensland he has made 5, 5, 26, 0, 43 and 1.”I haven’t been scoring many runs have I?” he said. “No, played on some difficult wickets though. Personally I’d like to have scored more runs but I haven’t. It’s not through lack of trying.””If I make another mistake it’s not going to be a pretty ending”Andrew SymondsDespite his disappointing form, Symonds said he was pleased to be finally moving in the right direction following a tough year. This time last season he had just returned home from an ODI series in India, where he was subjected to monkey chants from the crowd at some venues.Then came the home series against India, when Harbhajan Singh was suspended for making racist remarks to Symonds before being cleared on appeal. A tour of the West Indies followed and things did not run entirely smoothly there either – Symonds was fined for sleeping in and missing the team bus and there were reports he had fallen out with the vice-captain Clarke. Symonds said the constant touring schedule had taken its toll and he had to determine whether he still had the necessary desire.”I asked myself the question and I think the thing that I looked at was what comes with playing cricket for Australia and being an Australian cricketer,” he said. “I love the challenge of the game out in the middle but there are so many other things that you have to do, being an Australian cricketer, and they were the things that I was thinking about. But I’ve made that decision now and I can move to give it my all.”Symonds is no stranger to off-field dramas; his most famous in the pre-fishing trip days came on the 2005 tour of England, when he turned up for an ODI against Bangladesh under the influence of alcohol. Now 33, Symonds knows this will be the last chance for him to make the most of his talents at international level.”If I make another mistake it’s not going to be a pretty ending,” he said. “I realise that. I’ve got to be careful but at the same time I’ve still got to be the player and the person that I play my best cricket doing.”

West Ham United fans have been delighted on Twitter, following news that their Under-23 side stuffed Arsenal Under-23’s 6-1 in the Premier League 2 [West Ham United Official].

In what was an absolute mauling in East London, senior figures such as Andriy Yarmolenko, Arthur Masuaku and Manuel Lanzini all featured in the young Irons’ starting line-up against the Gunners, with each of the trio working back towards fitness after international duty or injuries.

Armstrong Oko-Flex netted a hat-trick for the Hammers’ second string, whilst Mipo Odubeko, Conor Coventry and Thierry Nevers also got on the scoresheet in a night which will provide much encouragement to the London Stadium faithful [West Ham FC Official].

Now, they will turn their attention to their next game away to Brighton & Hove Albion on Friday.

In light of the news of their academy’s impressive work, no wonder loads of West Ham diehards took to social media to hail the result.

West Ham United fans react:

Replying to the official West Ham United Twitter account, here is what some fans had to say about the score:

“Great result we smashed Arsenal all over the pitch . We had some big players in that game too .”

Credit: @markyboy30″Well done West Ham u’23s, great performance lads keep it up. COYI’s”Credit: @JackHat12906632

“Top of the league. Irons”

Credit: @MattNunn8

“Beautiful”

Credit: @WestHam1895TR”No need to sign strikers when you’ve got Mipo, Nevers and Oko Flex!”Credit: @antonymoynihan”this is amazing to see. COYI”Credit: @_KingArthurWHFCIn other news, West Ham United could pounce for a Serie A ace. Find out more here.

The No. 6 Daniel Flynn has said it is time for New Zealand’s top six batsmen to prove they deserve their spots as they prepare for a difficult chase

Peter English at the Gabba21-Nov-2008
Daniel Flynn was unbeaten on 39 as New Zealand were bowled out for 156 at the Gabba © Getty Images
The No. 6 Daniel Flynn has said it is time for New Zealand’s top six batsmen to prove they deserve their spots as they prepare for a difficult chase to win their first Test in Australia since 1985. The tourists wobbled to 156 in their first innings, but stayed in touch by taking six wickets and restricting the hosts’ lead to 189 at stumps on the second day.”We know there’s a lot of hard work to do and once we get those four wickets there’s a big job ahead of us, especially the top six,” Flynn, who scored a determined 39 not out, said. “It’s time for us to front up and show we’re worthy of our spots in the side.”Flynn was disappointed with the first-innings performance that “let the bowlers down”. “But the way the guys came out and turned things around with the ball showed we’ve got something about us,” he said. “We’re very happy.”The pitch was tricky and Flynn hoped for some more sun to steal some of the menace from the surface. “A couple of the guys got a few good nuts, which is unfortunate, but that happens,” he said. “It’s still doing enough. If you put the ball in good areas you’re going to do well.”Mitchell Johnson, who took 4 for 30 off eight overs, said there was “somegood bowling and some bad shots”. “It was a busy day – a few wickets fell- and we’re ahead, so we’re in a good position,” he said. “We’d like toget about 250 or even more.”Johnson was the leading wicket-taker in India with 13 at 40.07 and he performed well in the first couple of Tests before tailing off. After a tiring tour he was revived by the sight of the green Gabba surface and the promise of bounce.He tricked Brendon McCullum, who started with two crisp boundaries, into edging to Ricky Ponting at second slip and cleaned up New Zealand’s innings by removing three tailenders. Faced with the best opportunity in cricket to collect a hat-trick when the No. 11 Chris Martin walked out, Johnson could only get the batsman to play and miss.”I just can’t hit the stumps, that’s my problem,” he said. “I’ve had a chance to get a five-for twice in a month and I just tensed up a little bit and tried a bit hard. It was a perfect opportunity to get a hat-trick and a five-for but it didn’t happen.”Johnson’s figures flattered him slightly, but built on the strong earlier work of Stuart Clark, Brett Lee and Shane Watson. The trio collected two wickets each as New Zealand were dismissed 58 short of Australia’s first innings of 214.

Australia have been fined for the second game in a row by the match referee Chris Broad

Peter English24-Nov-2008
Ricky Ponting: “We tried really hard this game” © Getty Images
At the end of the first Test Ricky Ponting felt Australia did “a pretty good job” of staying in touch with the over-rate, but the team has been fined for the second game in a row by the match referee Chris Broad. Ponting was docked 30% of his match fee of A$12,750, double the punishment of his team-mates, for being three behind during the 149-run victory over New Zealand that ended on the fourth morning.The Australians adopted new measures in a bid to decrease the amount of time wasted in the field, but despite dismissing New Zealand for less than 200 in both innings, they could not stay within the limits after picking four fast bowlers. “We did a pretty good job this week, we were minus 2.75 down going into the second innings, and if anything we lost a quarter of an over,” Ponting said at the end of the Test.Ponting said the players “tried really hard” during the match to keep with up with the rate, but even with the increased attention on the issue it did not help them. Hats were left at fine-leg, Michael Hussey was used at times as a cap courier and they insisted they were hurrying between overs.The upshot was the team was one more over down than during the fourth Test in Nagpur, where Ponting was criticised for using part-time bowlers at a crucial stage of the game. In the lead-up to the Gabba Ponting was still unhappy with the response from the former captains Allan Border and Ian Chappell.”We tried really hard this game,” Ponting said. “I didn’t address the guys before the game. If they didn’t know about it, with all the talk, they never would have.”The situation will be slightly easier in Adelaide when the offspinner Jason Krejza comes back in to the XI for his second match, although he was also involved during the troubles in the fourth Test in India. “I’m never happy when I’m behind,” Ponting said. “We tried our hardest right through the game and without having a specialist spinner in the side, you find it hard to remain level par.”Australia employed an observer to measure how the team used its time on the field in comparison with New Zealand, who have no trouble with keeping up with the over-rate. “We just have a rhythm of how we go about it,” the coach John Bracewell said. “Guys know that they’re going to be bowling.”