A report in the Sunday News claims that Pommie Mbangwa has retired from playing and coaching to concentrate on his career as a commentator. It is expected that he will sign a new deal with South African broadcaster Supersport.Ahmet Esat, chairman of the Matabeleland Cricket Association, confirmed that Mbangwa resigned as Matabeleland’s provincial coach last week and added that he was already in South Africa."Obviously, we are disappointed as a board that he has left at such short notice," Esat told the newspaper. "There weren’t even signs that he would quit and it has derailed our provincial’s side preparations for the Logan Cup. It is late to appoint someone."Mbangwa had been criticised in some quarters for his commitment to his coaching role as his increasing commentary duties had meant that he was increasingly absent. "There were worries on his commitment to his job as Matabeleland coach as he spent most of the time outside the country," Esat explained. "We actually wanted to discuss the issue with him but he resigned."Mbangwa played 15 Tests between 1996 and 2000, taking 32 wickets, and also made 29 ODI appearances where his 11 wickets cost 103 each. His form of late in domestic matches had been very ordinary.
An unbeaten 75 in 96 balls from Marcus North helped guide Western Australia to a tense three-wicket win over Tasmania at Perth, a result which means that Western Australia leapfrog New South Wales to head the ING standings, while Tasmania’s fourth straight defeat effectively ends their one-day ambitions for the summer.WA looked set for an easy win when they restricted Tasmania to 9 for 193 and then cruised to 1 for 82, but the dismissal of Ryan Campbell for 42 (82 for 2) triggered a mini collapse during which four wickets fell for 38 runs. Then North was joined by Brad Hogg and the pair put on a crucial 68 runs for the sixth wicket. By the time Hogg fell for 26 the game was as good as over, but the margin of victory was further reduced when Kade Harvey tried to end the match in style but was caught behind for 0.Earlier, forgotten Australian allrounder Shane Watson’s stubborn 63 off 90 balls minutes on a lively WACA pitch helped Tasmania to respectability, and even though the wicket had a strong tinge of green, their score was always going to be hard to defend.Wicketkeeper Sean Clingeleffer (48 off 80 balls) provided a handy foil to Watson’s innings, but Tasmania were tamed by a well-disciplined WA attack with allrounder Kade Harvey (3 for 49) taking three wickets in four balls near the death.The rot set in quickly for the Tasmanians with openers Michael Dighton (6) and Michael Di Venuto (10) dismissed in the first four overs. Jamie Cox fell for 7 soon after a 45-minute break for rain before Watson and Daniel Marsh (22) mounted a fightback of sorts. However, Hogg deceived Marsh before Watson and Clingeleffer put on 70 for the sixth wicket.
North Baddesley are firmly back in the title race following their comprehensive thrashing of fellow contenders Lymington. Written off just a week ago following their defeat against Bashley, Baddesley are just one of four teams still in with a chance of winning the New Forest Indoor Cricket League as the season reaches an exciting climax.Lymington recalled self-confessed slogger Peter Tapper to the team, but his inclusion made little difference as North Baddesley gave Lymo a harsh lesson in the art of indoor batting. With Jon Bance in unstoppable form Baddesley rattled up 141 for 4. His unbeaten 64 contained just two boundaries, emphasising the quality of his running between the wickets.Andrew Williams also chipped in with 28 not out, while Tapper took two wickets amidst all the carnage. Tapper’s early retirement gave Lymington hope, but they were always behind the clock and despite Matt Molloy’s spirited 35, they were bowled out in the eleventh over for 102.The win leaves Baddesley on the same number of points as second placed Lymington, but they remain one place below them courtesy of conceding more runs.Current champions Bashley remain top of the table – for the time being – despite completing their fixtures with a defeat at the hands of Cadnam. Neil Taylor was dropped four times on his way to 60 not out, but Cadnam still managed to restrict Bash to 106 for 5.Cadnam took less than ten overs to record a four wicket victory with Paul Kerley and Mike Caffyn both unbeaten on 25.The win leaves Cadnam rueing the two points that they recently had deducted for failing to supply a duty person – an oversight that may have cost them a chance of the title. Bashley, meanwhile, must rely on the three teams below them all losing their final matches in order to retain their title.New Milton could be the dark horses for the trophy as they hammered Burley by 66 runs. Highly rated Hampshire prospect David Wheeler amassed a classy 41 not out and Steve Taylor slogged an unbeaten 39 as Milton compiled up a huge 171 for 4 (Mark Randall-Turner 2-44).Burley’s Paul Yates may want to forget his final over which was flayed for 30 runs by the rampant Milton batsmen. Andy Snellgrove then continued his good season with 2 for 17 as Burley replied with 105 for 5.Cadnam Seconds clinched the Division Two title with a five wicket victory over their nearest rivals Godshill. Alan Northway (33) made the only score of note as Godshill were dismissed for 98. Paul Jewar (27no), Robert Jurd (25no) and Neil Garvey (26no) batted sensibly to ease Cadnam home with nine balls to spare.Lymington Seconds remain bottom of Division Two following their high scoring defeat against Pylewell Park. Tony Thorp struck a venomous 56 not out and Alan Spencer compiled a rather more sedate unbeaten 38 as Lymington totalled a creditable 136 for 4.Pylewell recovered from the early shock of losing Chris Todd and Trevor Mapes to rebuild through Steve Gates (38) and Pete Sturmey (35no). And with just one wicket remaining it was the wily old Sturmey who guided his team to an impressive victory by smashing a six off the fourth ball of the final over.Pylewell Seconds also recorded a good victory to keep them on course for promotion from Division Three. The Royan family once again shone with Uncle John scoring 26 not out, and nephew Wayne notching up an unbeaten 25 as Pylewell reached 127 for 2.Pennington had no answer to some tight Pylewell bowling and only Roger Porter (25no) looked in form as they were held to 79 for 3 in reply.
There are days when a batsman stands tall and plays well outside hisperceived ability. There are days when a team revels in distinguishedmediocrity when things aren’t going their way. There are days when anunlikely pair come together and defy all odds. Today was one of thosedays. Andy Flower was that peerless batsman, Henry Olonga his partnerand India the hapless side at the receiving end. Andy Flower’smarathon unbeaten 183 put Zimbabwe in a strong position at the end ofthe second day’s play at the Feroz Shah Kotla. The visitors amassed422/9 before declaring and putting pressure on India.Resuming on a less than inspiring 232/5, Zimbabwe would never haveimagined that they would be in a position to declare after puttingover four hundred runs on the board. As it happened, the Indian team’sinability to deliver at crucial times helped Zimbabwe do this andmore. Javagal Srinath once again gave India a breakthrough early inthe day. Removing Heath Streak before he could add to his overnightscore of 25, Srinath opened the door for the spinners. The spinnershowever, had no idea what to do, once this door was opened for them.At 325/9 Zimbabwe were on the ropes. Or so we thought. Henry Olonga isa rather unpredictable man. When he’s bowling, he’s troublesome -either for the opposition batsmen or for his captain. Today, theIndians would not have minded facing up to Olonga at his quick best.The sight of him occupying the crease for 90 balls was something theIndians would badly like to have avoided. To achieve that however, youneed bowlers. Sourav Ganguly’s decision to go into this match withonly four bowlers was widely criticised. The way things have pannedout, justifiably so it seems. Having opted to go with just the fourbowlers, Ganguly’s reluctance to hand the ball to Murali Kartik isanother situation that needs to be addressed. And fast, if India wantto go at the Zimbabweans with a serious thought of winning.The visitors’ attitude in this regard is beyond doubt. When AndyFlower was a mere 17 runs from reaching what would have been amemorable double hundred. If Heath Streak harboured any thoughts ofbatting on till Andy Flower notched up his double ton, those thoughtscertainly did not get in the way. At 422/9 Zimbabwe spared the Indiansa further drudgery and declared their innings closed. Not before AndyFlower had given the Indians a lesson in batsmanship in their ownbackyard. Applying himself immaculately, Flower cornered the Indianbowling. Milking them for timely singles and twos, Andy Flower brokethe monotony by striking boundaries at will. Whether it was pullingthe fast bowlers, or sweeping the spinners, Andy Flower was always incontrol. The day clearly belonged to him, and therein to Zimbabwe.When India played Bangladesh in last month, they managed to concede400 runs in the first innings. Snide remarks abounded at how Indianarrowly missed the ignominy of allowing Bangladesh to declare theirinnings. There was no such escape this time. The Flower-Olonga combineadded an unbeaten 97 runs for the last wicket. Heath Streak once againrefused a chance to make history. If the pair had been allowed tocontinue on, and add another three runs, it would have been only thesecond time India would have conceded three figures to the last pair.Statistics and records clearly don’t interest the Zimbabwean captain.Pressing on for a win was clearly high on Streak’s list of priorities.Sending down seven overs to Sadagoppan Ramesh and Shiv Sunder Das, theZimbabweans tried hard for early breakthroughs. Fortunately for Indiathere was no further damage and they went through to stumps at 9 forno loss. Still 413 behind, India will have to do something veryspecial to regain the initiative.
As per Calciomercato, there has been a seismic update on West Ham United’s transfer plans involving a familiar name in Benfica striker Darwin Nunez.
The Lowdown: Hammers fail in late move…
During the final stretches of the January transfer window, manager David Moyes and recruitment chief Rob Newman scrambled for signings with record-breaking late bids being lodged.
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Nunez was allegedly one of them with West Ham making a last-gasp €48 million (£40m) offer for his services, but to no avail, as it wasn’t enough to sway the Portuguese giants into selling.
However, as per Calciomercato, it appears GSB aren’t going to give up and are eyeing a return in the summer window.
The Latest: GSB preparing bid…
According to the Italian news source, West Ham and the club’s owners by extension are ‘ready to relaunch the rejected proposal’ with Atletico Madrid and Newcastle United also plotting a move.
They add that ‘everyone is crazy about’ the 22-year-old as he attracts serious interest from both the Premier League and La Liga.
The Verdict: Come back again?
It could take a huge bid to convince Benfica to sell their gem, as evidenced by the fact they have already turned down a big West Ham proposal this year.
However, Nunez may be worth the effort going by his scintillating 20 goals and two assists in 22 Liga NOS appearances this season alone.
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Called one of the ‘big name’ players to watch this summer by Fabrizio Romano, it will certainly be interesting to see if West Ham are successful in their attempts this time for the man who dumped Ajax out of the Champions League on Tuesday.
In other news: West Ham in pole position to sign ‘magnificent’ player who’s perfect for Moyes, find out more here.
The group of players barred from representing Pakistan or playing in the country’s domestic cricket for playing in the Indian Cricket League (ICL) is considering taking legal action against the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).Imran Farhat, Taufeeq Umar and Shabbir Ahmed – the three currently active players who would be otherwise eligible for Pakistan selection – hit out at the board’s decision , arguing that it was an attempt “to destroy our livelihood.””We will discuss this among ourselves and take some advice from Inzi bhai before we move forward,” Farhat told Cricinfo. “This is a very sad situation and we will try everything in our powers to get back to playing for Pakistan.”Farhat and Umar said legal action was a definite possibility, while also clarifying remarks made by the PCB over a petition the players had apparently filed against the ban earlier at the Lahore High Court. Nasim Ashraf, chairman PCB, said the court had dismissed the petition, but Farhat said this was not the case.”The petition wasn’t filed,” Farhat explained. “We reconsidered and decided to wait on it because the message conveyed to us was that the board’s governing committee might change its mind and let us play after their meeting [on January 25].”The board did offer one way back for the players, suggesting that if they pulled out of their ICL contracts, they would consider any subsequent appeal to lift the restriction. But Farhat insisted that pulling out of his three-year contract was not an option.”That contract gives me security. It is like a safety net for me. What safety do we get here? We will not pull out of it on principle alone,” Farhat said. “The board is happy to send players to the Indian Premier League (IPL), which is also another separate league. What is the difference between that and this? Will the IPL also not harm Pakistan cricket?”Though the ICL isn’t officially involved in helping the players in a legal battle should one arise, the group is planning to seek constant advice from the organizers on how to move forward.
After completing his transformation from out-of-favour allrounder to national hero with a match-winning century, Craig McMillan said New Zealand could go to the World Cup without fearing any target. McMillan was a crucial figure in the final two Chappell-Hadlee Trophy matches as New Zealand overhauled scores of 336 at Eden Park and 346 at Hamilton to secure the country’s first cleansweep over Australia.Back-to-back performances of 52 off 30 balls and 117 off 96 were also hugely satisfying for McMillan, who was dropped from the squad in 2005 and not offered a New Zealand contract. “Hopefully, I’ve shown people I can still bat and I’ve still got something to offer this side,” McMillan said in the Dominion Post. “I’ve always had the ability but at times that belief gets knocked when you are not going as well as what you want. But I suppose the key for me was the knock in Sydney [last month] when I got 89, that gave me the belief that I can foot it.”New Zealand were in severe trouble at 4 for 41 at Hamilton when McMillan walked out to perform a brilliant rescue and collect the fastest century in the country’s history. Partnerships of 75 with Peter Fulton (51) and 165 with Brendon McCullum (86 not out) pushed them towards their aim before McCullum finished the match with one wicket and three balls to go. The series result and the manner in which New Zealand achieved the whitewash will give them extreme confidence heading into next month’s World Cup.”From 40 for 4 we didn’t have a lot to lose and sometimes teams can be dangerous from those situations,” McMillan said. “We got a couple of partnerships going. It’s special and the icing on the cake was winning the game. Now we can head to the World Cup believing we can chase down anything.”
Australia A batsman Dominic Thornely has joined Hampshire on a one-year contract for the 2006 season.Thornely, 27, will join Hampshire captain and legendary Australia legspinner Shane Warne who led the county to runners-up spot in the County Championship last season.”I’m really looking forward to playing at Hampshire,” Thornely said. “I feel a county season will develop my game further under the captaincy of Shane Warne and the support staff at Hampshire. The club were very successful last season, and I hope to contribute to that success with both bat and ball.”Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove was delighted to have signed the New South Wales player, who bowls medium-pace. “His positive allround approach to the game is consistent with the way we play, and I am confident he will quickly become a firm favourite with our supporters.”
Rahul Dravid scored an exquisite hundred to keep India, who were given a typically blistering start by Virender Sehwag, ahead for the better part of the day, but Pakistan worked their way back in to the game with a spurt of wickets at the close. India had been coasting at 278 for 2 when Sachin Tendulkar was out for 52, and Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman followed soon after. Dravid was out for 110 in the last over of the day, and a dominant position had turned into one of just a slight advantage.There was no assistance in the Eden Gardens pitch for the bowlers. Much of thegrass that had been on a couple of days before the Test had been shaved off, and Pakistan’s bowling in the first two sessions was sometimes wayward, mostly ineffectual. The Indian batsmen were unworried and assured.The morning belonged to Virender Sehwag. Bob Woolmer, Pakistan’s coach, had said before the game: “We will not give [Sehwag] a car.” But Sehwag did get the automobile in question, as the bowlers strayed. Mohammad Sami was too full, and often wide, and struggled to find rhythm. Mohammad Khalil, brought into the side in place of the injured Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, bowled better, but Sehwag’s back-foot defence sufficed. He was never tempted into the pull, and was brutalwhen he got space on the off side.Danish Kaneria was brought on as early as the tenth over, but Sehwag read him like a favourite book. Kaneria did get Gautam Gambhir’s wicket, but was otherwise a benign force. Dravid played him with utter ease, and Pakistan sweated in vain.Shahid Afridi, brought into the side in place of Salman Butt, showed how useful the fifth bowler could be with a probing spell after lunch, in which he frustrated Sehwag out. Sehwag mistimed a heave and Inzamam-ul-Haq, not a nimble mover but a committed man, took a good catch at cover, running backwards.Tendulkar took 19 balls to open his account, but the quality of the cover-drive that got him his first runs was so outstanding that there was no question of his form. He batted solidly, and played some delicate strokes on both sides of the wicket. At 2.39pm, with an on-side dab, Tendulkar brought up his 10,000th run in Test cricket.But it was Dravid who was the star of the day. His innings was flawless. He was his usual assured self in defence, so much so that the act of bowling to him seemed an exercise in futility. His driving and cutting had both classicism and artistry, his concentration was as relentless as the sun that beat down upon the field, and as frustrating for Pakistan on a warm and humid day.Dravid added 122 with Tendulkar, who batted more and more freely as the innings went on, but the end of the partnership brought on a mini-collapse. First Tendulkar was out, caught behind after chasing a wide ball from Afridi. Then Sourav Ganguly, after scratching around unconvincingly, flashed at a good-length ball outside the off stump and was caught behind. VVS Laxman was leg-before first ball, and Pakistan had fought back.Afridi chuffed in like a fast bowler, Razzaq and Sami bent their backs, but it was Kaneria who had the last word of the day, drawing Dravid forward and inducing an edge with a legspinner. As at Mohali, Pakistan had begun badly but recovered well. Here, though, they had come back on the first day itself. What would happen on the second?How they were out Tried to sweep and was rapped on the front foot by an overpitched googly. Fair decision. Went for a mighty heave, mishit the ball, and was caught by Inzamam-ul-Haq, running backwards from cover. Chaseda wide legspinner, bottom-edged to the keeper. Flashedat a good-length ball outside off, caught behind Played down thewrong line to an inswinger Playedforward and edged a legbreak
The imposing form of Western Australia’s batting line-up has South Australian coach Wayne Phillips wary ahead of tomorrow’s ING Cup match at Adelaide Oval.The two sides have already met at the WACA in the season opener of the domestic one-day competition last month, with the Warriors’ batsmen amassing 5-293 from their 50 overs.It set up a 99-run win, which gave WA a bonus point and continued SA’s dismal one-day form from last season, in which the Redbacks won just one of 10 matches and regularly conceded bonus points.The Warriors followed that by posting a total of 280 against New South Wales at North Sydney Oval last Sunday, although the Blues managed to overhaul that total.WA batsmen Mike Hussey and Murray Goodwin have been in sparkling form, the pair both scoring brisk half-centuries against SA and Hussey following that with a century against the Blues at better than a run per ball.And, with WA skipper Justin Langer emerging from an early season form slump with an unbeaten 163 against NSW on the final day of their Pura Cup match yesterday, Phillips said the Warriors would be hard to contain.”The WA line-up is tremendously capable and pretty dangerous with the bat,” Phillips said.”We will need to play in a disciplined way to contain them.”They are a pretty impressive one-day unit.”But Phillips added the Redbacks had improved since their loss to WA, with a confidence-boosting win against Tasmania at Bellerive Oval last Saturday.It was inspired by a brilliant all-round performance by veteran off-spinner John Davison, who belted 59 from 63 balls, then took 5-26.Phillips said Davison, who represented his native Canada at the World Cup this year and notched the tournament’s fastest ever century, had gained plenty of confidence from his World Cup heroics.”He’s a pretty complete package when he’s in form, there’s no doubt about it,” Phillips said.He said his mostly young, inexperienced side was still learning how to approach limited overs cricket and would reap huge benefits from the win over the Tigers.”It’s a general understanding and a general plan about the way they play the game and how best to play one-day cricket,” he said.”We have got a few ideas we’re trying to get the players to learn.”The players certainly enjoyed being part of a winning side.”That’s something that can encourage us and motivate us and that makes us a much more competitive outfit.”WA has named all-rounder Kade Harvey in its squad for what would be his first ING Cup match of the season after off-season knee surgery.SA squad: Greg Blewett (captain), Andy Flower, Mark Cleary, Mark Higgs, Mark Cosgrove, Ben Johnson, John Davison, Trent Kelly, Shane Deitz, Graham Manou, Callum Ferguson, Paul Rofe.WA squad: Justin Langer (captain), Michael Hussey, Ryan Campbell, Beau Casson, Murray Goodwin, Kade Harvey, Shaun Marsh, Scott Meuleman, Marcus North, Chris Rogers, Callum Thorp, Paul Wilson and Peter Worthington.