All posts by h716a5.icu

After a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Leicester City, Newcastle United face the daunting trip to Anfield to take on title challengers Liverpool on Thursday night.

Eddie Howe’s side failed to build on from their victory over Burnley, and now start a run of games that includes Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United in their next three.

With the festive schedule no doubt likely to take its toll, the Magpies boss will surely be keen to keep everyone fresh, and rotating the side will be key.

And, one man who may fancy his chances of having a runout against Liverpool tonight, is Ryan Fraser.

The £9m-rated Scotland international has struggled for both form and fitness on Tyneside, making just 34 appearances to date and scoring only one goal for his current club.

In his real standout campaign with Bournemouth back in 2018/19, though, Fraser racked up seven goals and a whopping 14 assists, proving that he can perform at Premier League level when he’s on song.

His former Bournemouth teammate Eunan O’Kane said: “Ryan has got the world at his feet. He has taken him time to settle, but he has learnt a lot in the six months he has been here. For me he is a dream. I just give him the ball and stand behind him and let him do what he does. He is an outlet and can run with the ball and gives us a different option.”

Meanwhile, former Celtic ace Charlie Nicholas added: “What I like is that he is a little pocket dynamo. He is quite an old-fashioned type of player – what we used to call a tanner ba’ – from the days when Scottish players were very popular. He has a little bit of that.”

Given the incredible reliance that Newcastle put on the likes of Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson to be their main goalscorer and creator, having Fraser in the starting line-up would give the duo some much-needed support.

And, the Scot actually has good memories of playing against Liverpool himself, having scored once and providing two assists in a thrilling 4-3 win over the Merseyside club back in 2016/2017 campaign with Bournemouth.

With such a quick turnaround in games, Howe could bring some fresh energy into this Newcastle side by unleashing Fraser tonight.

Meanwhile, Newcastle have made an enquiry for this star…

Alastair Cook’s run of poor form continued when he was dismissed for a first ball duck as Essex replied to a Kent total of 474 in their County Championship clash at Chelmsford

11-May-2010Kent 474 v Essex 172 for 4
Scorecard
Alastair Cook’s run of poor form continued when he was dismissed for a first ball duck as Essex replied to a Kent total of 474 in their County Championship clash at Chelmsford.The England opener pushed forward against Makhaya Ntini and edged an easy catch to wicketkeeper James Hockley, who was deputising behind the stumps for Geraint Jones, who was off the field complaining of feeling unwell.Cook has only once reached 50 in his seven championship innings this season and has gathered just 155 runs for an average of just over 22. While Cook was left reflecting on another failure, 21-year-old Tom Westley confirmed his promise by reaching the close within sight of his century with Essex on 172 for 4.The youngster will resume the third day on 84, an innings that has so far brought him a dozen boundaries against bowling far more testing than that of Essex. The most substantial partnership to date involved Westley and opener Billy Godleman who gathered 76 in 26 overs for the third wicket.Godleman survived an amazing escape from the final delivery before tea when he played a ball from Simon Cook into his stumps without dislodging a bail. But he failed to make the most of his good fortune because he was bowled by Azhar Mahmood immediately afterwards without adding to his 45.Mahmood had earlier removed Jaik Mickleburgh while Cook had Mark Pettini neatly taken at second slip by Martin van Jaarsveld to leave Essex on 114 for 4. But that was to be the last of Kent’s successes as James Foster curbed his attacking instincts to stay with Westley until the close with Essex still requiring a further 153 to avoid the follow on.Foster has so far batted for just over an hour and faced 73 deliveries in making 17. Earlier, Darren Stevens recorded his second championship century of the season after Kent had resumed on 355 for 6.Keeping him company for most of that time was Mahmood, the pair adding 134 for the seventh wicket. It was brought to an end when he was bowled by Ryan ten Doeschate for 64, containing eight boundaries.Stevens completed his century from 147 deliveries but departed next ball when he swung widely at leg spinner Danish Kaneria and skied a simple catch to Tim Phillips in the gulley. His effort contained 11 fours and 2 sixes.Ten Doeschate was by far Essex’s more successful bowler. The batsman finished with 4 for 77 while Kaneria’s two wickets came at a cost of 124 from 33 overs in his first appearance of the season.

Newcastle United will reportedly now ‘try again’ to sign Sven Botman in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Centre-back wanted

Given that the St. James’ Park faithful have been linked with the likes of James Tarkowski, Abdou Diallo and Nico Schlotterbeck in recent days, it is clear that they are now after a new central defender.

They have conceded no fewer than 42 goals in the Premier League so far this term, the joint-highest in the top flight along with bottom-placed Norwich City, and so a new centre-back to come in and help shore up the defence would be ideal for Eddie Howe as he looks to keep his team up.

The Latest: Botman bid

As per Fabrizio Romano, Lille have now ‘turned down’ a bid worth €35m (£29.2m) from the North East club to sign Botman, and they are planning to keep him, despite their ‘difficult’ financial situation.

However, the Italian football journalist and transfer expert has also revealed that the Tyneside outfit will ‘try again’ to sign him, although AC Milan are also interested in his signature.

The Verdict: Get it done

Given the Magpies’ defensive woes, it is imperative that they bring a new centre-half in, and fast.

Dubbed as a ‘machine’ who ‘doesn’t make mistakes’ by Lille teammate Jose Fonte, Botman could well be the answer, and given that he has played at the highest level, winning the Ligue 1 title last season and playing in the UEFA Champions League this term he would certainly elevate the quality in the side.

Nonetheless, at just 21 years of age, the Netherlands international has the world at his feet, and so he would be a real coup for the Magpies.

In other news, find out which ‘quality’ colossus NUFC are now eyeing here!

Cricinfo previews the match between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians in Jaipur

The Preview by Siddarth Ravindran10-Apr-2010 Match facts Rajasthan v Mumbai, Jaipur
Sunday, April 11
Start time 2000 (1430 GMT)Kieron Pollard hasn’t lived up to the pre-tournament hype•Indian Premier LeagueBig PictureMumbai Indians have lost two in a row but there’s no need for them to hit the panic button yet. They are still top of the table, and reaching the semi-finals should not be too tough. What will worry them is the misfiring batting, which has failed twice in two matches, and still looks dependent on Sachin Tendulkar. Their bowling, though, with the trio of Lasith Malinga, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh at its heart is among the best in the tournament.Mumbai are up against a confident Rajasthan Royals, coming off two contrasting wins – a come-from-behind thriller against Deccan Chargers and a demolition of Kings XI Punjab – that has resurrected their chances of making the final four. Add to that their perfect record at Jaipur – eight wins in eight – and Shane Warne’s boys should provide a stiff challenge to the table-toppers. A victory for Rajasthan will give them a share of the lead in the standings, but defeat could leave them needing to win both their remaining matches.Form guide (most recent first)Rajasthan Royals WWLLW
Mumbai Indians LLWWW Team talkMumbai’s overseas allrounders haven’t been at their best this season. With Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo struggling, Sanath Jayasuriya could get another look-in. JP Duminy should retain his place after top-scoring against Punjab. Ryan McLaren’s place could also be under scrutiny after failing with the bat, and being given only two overs.Rajasthan left out both Morne Morkel and Shaun Tait in the match against Punjab, but might decide to pick one of them to inject some pace into the attack for Sunday. Adam Voges could be the one to miss out after not getting to bat or bowl against Punjab.PreviouslyRajasthan 2 Mumbai 2
The previous encounter between the two teams this season will be remembered for the ferocious hundred from Yusuf Pathan that nearly took Rajasthan to an incredible victory. Mumbai eventually prevailed by four runs. In the spotlightYusuf Pathan v Harbhajan Singh: Yusuf has a liking for the spinners, and had carted Mumbai’s attack in the absence of Harbhajan when the teams met earlier in the tournament. Mumbai’s main spinner will have a key role in shackling him on Sunday.
The openers: Both sides have openers who are in form – Sachin Tendulkar and Shikhar Dhawan for Mumbai, Michael Lumb and Naman Ojha for Rajasthan – and they’ll have a huge role in shaping the outcome of the game. Prime numbers Sachin Tendulkar’s solidity through the tournament has meant that Mumbai have been the best team in the Powerplays, scoring at 9.13 and losing only eight wickets in ten matches. Rajasthan’s 66 sixes is the second-highest by a team in the tournament so far; Mumbai are bottom of the list with 41. The chatter”[The] team is very happy to be back here, we like playing out here, we have got a good record and I think we are in a good space at the minute.”

Zimbabwe have taken major steps towards regaining their position in the cricketing hierarchy

Cricinfo staff09-Jun-2010Zimbabwe have taken major steps towards regaining their position in the cricketing hierarchy, of challengers capable of toppling the best sides on their day, and Brendan Taylor who has been at the forefront of the turnaround, has reaffirmed his loyalty to the Zimbabwean cause.”Zimbabwe is my home and it is good place to be in right now,” Taylor told . “I want to support Zimbabwe cricket as much as I can. We’re training hard and trying to give our best to play against Australia, India and Sri Lanka. Hopefully by next year, we will get our Test status back and things here will be normal soon.”We feel the first class structure in Zimbabwe is heading in the right direction. It’s run professionally and we just hope it continues the same way. We have got five teams at the moment and we’re trying to give exposure to the youngsters,” he said.Zimbabwe’s trough in world cricket coincided with the political upheaval in the country which drove several of their leading players away. Taylor was one of the few white cricketers who stuck with the team through the tough phase and spearheaded a few upsets during his time.”Beating Australia (in the first World Twenty20) was a very special moment. They were the world champions at that stage. The last-ball six against Bangladesh in 2006 which gave us series win. It was the closest game I’ve ever played in,” he said.Taylor top-scored in each of Zimbabwe’s three victories in the ongoing tri-series, getting a century and two fifties in the process. He almost single-handedly derailed India’s campaign – an outcome even he is surprised by. “I love Indian cricketers and follow them closely. The present side is slightly out of form. We’re surprised that they have left their main players out. But the current side has some quality cricketers. I’m really surprised that they are out of the tournament.”India and Sri Lanka may have sent depleted sides for the series, and while Taylor admits it made his side compete better, it would have been a good learning experience for Zimbabwe to face full-strength opposition. “That’s [strength of the other teams] not in our hands but I feel a lot happy that India have not fielded their best team. They would have made our task much harder.”At the same time, I would have liked them to be here. It would have been a good experience for us. I have immense respect for players like Yuvraj, Dhoni and Sachin. But we enjoyed playing against the current team. We learnt a lot,” he said.With his recent exploits, Taylor has his sights set on impressing the IPL talent scouts, and if things go his way, he may follow Tatenda Taibu to the lucrative Twenty20 league. “Certainly, every cricketer’s dream is to be a part of the IPL. I know there are two new teams from this year and I have my aspirations to play in the IPL. A few more good performances and I know I can get an IPL contract. It’s my aim to be part of such a well-established tournament,” Taylor said.

A round-up of the first set of matches in the SLC Inter-Provincial Tournament 2009-10

Sa'adi Thawfeeq22-Mar-2010Jeevantha Kulatunga continued his good run of form with the bat, hitting an unbeaten century off 101 balls to guide Wayamba to a convincing seven-wicket win over Basnahira South in the opening weekend of the Inter-provincial four-day tournament. Wayamba’s victory was achieved inside three days as Basnahira South failed to counter the wily left-arm spin of Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath who finished with match figures of 8 for 141.Basnahira South never recovered from their poor first innings total of 120 after choosing to bat first. Their batting was wrecked by Chanaka Welagedera (4 for 37) and Herath (3 for 12). Even though they put up a better display in the second innings to score 352, Wayamba were left to chase 224 to win with plenty of time to spare. Although they lost openers Michael Vandort and Mahela Udawatte cheaply, Kulatunga took control of the bowling from there onwards and figured in two century partnerships with his captain Jehan Mubarak who made 61 and Damitha Hunukumbura, who was unbeaten on 55 to ensure victory.In a high-scoring match at Moors SC grounds, Kandurata established a new domestic record by piling up the highest total – 727 all out – against Basnahira North. The previous highest total was 683 by Colombo Colts CC against Galle CC at the NCC grounds in 2003-04. Sri Lanka middle-order batsman Thilan Samaraweera, leading Kandurata in the absence of Kumar Sangakkara who is away for the IPL, led the way with a superb double century as his team took up the challenge of overhauling Basnahira North’s first innings total of 530. Samaraweera scored 214 off 355 balls and was involved in a double century partnership of 274 for the fifth wicket with Jeevan Mendis who made 150.Kandurata passed Basnahira North’s total losing only half the side and further frustration followed when Sri Lanka spinner Suraj Randiv added to his four-wicket haul by bolstering the lower order with an entertaining innings of 74 off 89 balls, helping his captain put on 91 runs for the seven th wicket. He picked up a further three wickets in the second innings for matches figures of 7/230. The Kandurata run chase was launched by openers Nadeera Nawala (113) and Kanchana Gunawardena (64) who put on 122. Five half-centuries featured in the Basnahira North first innings.

In less than four months, Doug Bollinger has become the most important bowler in Australia’s Test team but he still hasn’t perfected his celebrations

Brydon Coverdale at the Basin Reserve21-Mar-2010In less than four months, Doug Bollinger has become the most important bowler in Australia’s Test team but he still hasn’t perfected his celebrations. When he completed his second Test five-for, he looked down and kissed his shirt, hesitated for a second as he realised he’d actually got the VB sponsor’s logo, and tried to recover by switching sides and finding the Australian badge.He laughed it off. He’s used to doing that. He did the badge-kissing thing in Perth in December, but joked it was only because he’d seen someone else do it. He was asked in the lead-up to this game how his hairpiece would stand up in the Wellington wind and said: “Next question”.He bugs his team-mates by repeating the same joke over and over in the change-rooms: “Two fish are in a tank and one says to the other ‘how do you drive this thing?'” He would be a fun but exhausting man to be around.Fortunately, there is more to Bollinger than a unique personality. His seven wickets so far in the Wellington Test put Australia firmly in control and it continued his outstanding summer in the five-day game. Since returning to the team at the start of December, he has collected 32 breakthroughs at 18.06, easily the most of any Australian player in that time.Mitchell Johnson keeps finding victims and Nathan Hauritz has discovered his niche but Bollinger has become the spearhead. He is the man to whom Ricky Ponting turns when a change in momentum is required, or to convert a couple of wickets into a collapse. He achieved both those feats on the third day, first running through the New Zealand tail to allow Ponting to enforce the follow-on for the second time this season, then breaking an opening stand that had swelled to 70.His speed and accuracy allow batsmen no respite and that was what upset BJ Watling, who had cautiously worked his way to 33 when he was lbw to a ball that pitched in line and straightened, for the second time in the game. His angle soon accounted for Peter Ingram and he edged behind.The 5 for 28 that he secured in the first innings was fitting reward for his persistence. The same energy that nags good-naturedly at his team-mates causes far more worries for his opponents and even late in the afternoon, after a day and a half of bowling, he was still peppering down bouncers and making the batsmen jump.”I’m trying to [intimidate],” Bollinger said. “That’s just how I bowl, I try to be aggressive and bowl in the batsman’s face and make them as uncomfortable as I can. That’s what a fast bowler’s job is to do. I felt really, really good today. I didn’t try to overdo anything. I just feel like the ball is coming out of my hand really well at the moment and I’m just really, really enjoying my cricket.”Bollinger makes otherwise pedestrian periods of Test cricket compulsory viewing. When he’s sprinting in it is impossible to look away for fear of missing a wicket, an appeal or a moment of mirth.This Test has had the lot: 7 for 58, a laughably optimistic appeal (he was the only man to go up for a bump ball return catch and you could sense his team-mates cringe) and a VB kiss that was replayed over and over. The team’s most important bowler is also its most watchable.

Mohammad Kaif scored his maiden first-class double century to boost Central Zone to a massive total on the third day

Cricinfo staff21-Jan-2010
Scorecard
Fog and bad light continued to eat away at match hours in Amritsar, where Mohammad Kaif scored his maiden first-class double-century to boost Central Zone to a massive total on the third day.The entire morning session was lost to bad light, after which Kaif and Naman Ojha guided Central past 400. Their partnership had grown to 64 when Ojha fell to medium-pacer Dhiraj Goswami. Piyush Chawla chipped in with a quickfire 27 but it was Kaif who was the star of the day, going on to become only the fourth Central Zone batsman to cross 200. Central declared soon after the milestone was reached, in the hope of giving their bowlers enough time to dismiss East Zone and progress on the first-innings lead.East made an assured start to their reply, with openers Dheeraj Jadhav and Arindham Das putting on 62. Jadhav was dismissed by Sanjay Bangar for 28, and East had progressed to 64 for 1 before bad light caused play to be called off.

The morning after Old Trafford’s Twenty20 washout, conditions were fit enough for Lancashire and Sussex to start their Championship match on the same pitch that was due to host England and Australia

Andrew McGlashan at Old Trafford02-Sep-2009The morning after Old Trafford’s Twenty20 washout, conditions were fit enough for Lancashire and Sussex to start their Championship match on the same pitch that was due to host England and Australia.The umpires, Neil Mallender and David Millns, were happy with conditions when they inspected at 9.15am, although they told both captains they would take into account if any bowlers had problems with the run-ups. However, when play began 15 minutes late at 10.45 there seemed few issues as Robin Martin-Jenkins sent down the second over of the day from the Brian Statham End.Jim Cumbes, the Lancashire chief executive, said after the abandonment he believed a county game would have taken place. “We’ve played Twenty20 domestic matches in far worse conditions than that.”There was a significant amount of sawdust on the offending area, a two-metre square block behind the stumps that was deemed too dangerous for last night’s match but Martin-Jenkins was confident in his delivery stride.”There were other areas [that were wet] as well,” said England captain Paul Collingwood the previous evening. “The backward point area was very wet as well. But specifically it was that one area in the bowlers’ run-ups which is a crucial part of a cricket pitch.”With the run-ups for the bowlers and the weight that goes through that part of the ground – especially in those take-off areas – the risk was too great. I spoke to Michael [Clarke] and both of us said if you’re asking your boys to run in 100% then it is going to be pretty dangerous. That’s why the umpires made that decision.”Both captains defended their decision not to try and get a game of some description for the full house, amid accusations that they were being ‘soft’, by saying that it would have made a mockery of an international match. “Of course it would,” Collingwood said. “To mark out wide run-ups just to miss and area and stuff like that, it becomes ridiculous. Obviously the umpires made a good decision.””There are a couple of things there you can do to put on a show for the crowd but the fact is it is an international Twenty20,” Clarke said. “You want to play your full-strength team. There’s no game I play for Australia where you go out and bowl some full tosses so the crowd get a great spectacle.However, Nathan Bracken, the Australian left-armer, said the team were readying themselves to play before the umpires ruled conditions unfit. “I understand a lot of people were there and missed out on a game but we missed out on playing a game as well,” he said. “We were prepared…guys had strapping tape on ankles, guys were walking around the changing rooms with boots on ready to go.”We were right to go and the umpires made the decision that they saw fit. If you start questioning things like that you’re starting to get into really shaky ground, They made the decision that was right. We support the decision they made. It’s the same as if you nick one behind and you’re given out or not out, you accept the decision and move on.”The ECB have launched an investigation and Chris Wood, the pitches consultant, examined the offending area during the lunch interval of the Championship match along with Cumbes and groundsman Matthew Merchant. Wood will file a report along with the assessments from the match referee, umpires and ECB’s venue manager.Earlier this season Yorkshire were heavily criticised when the one-day international against West Indies was abandoned after the new drainage couldn’t cope with a torrential downpour, and Edgbaston also suffered when the third day of the Ashes Test was washed out. So much for a barbecue summer.

A stomach ailment has forced Dermot Reeve, the former England allrounder, to be replaced as Maharashtra’s senior coach for the rest of the season

Amol Karhadkar21-Dec-2012A stomach ailment has forced Dermot Reeve, the former England allrounder, to be replaced as Maharashtra’s senior coach for the rest of the season. Reeve, who was unable to make it to New Delhi for Maharashtra’s Ranji Trophy Group B tie against Delhi that ended on Tuesday, has been replaced by the former Maharashtra captain Surendra Bhave.The team has slumped since Reeve took over from the Australian Shaun Williams ahead of the season. With two rounds to go in the league stage, Maharashtra are at the bottom of Group B. With eight points from six games, Maharashtra are in danger of being relegated to Group C. As a result, Reeve’s tactics were being questioned not just by a section of the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA), but also those on the Ranji circuit. Suresh Raina, the Uttar Pradesh captain, criticised Reeve’s defensive tactics during UP’s tie in Pune.However, MCA president Ajay Shirke put the sacking theory to rest. “Dermot is unwell for a while. Since it has been clear that he will not be able to be with the squad all the time, we had to make a decision since it puts a lot of pressure on the captain,” Shirke told ESPNcricinfo. “As a result, we have appointed Surendra Bhave as the coach. He will take us through the rest of the season.”Bhave, the former Maharashtra opening batsman, served as a national selector for four years till last September. He had been appointed chairman of Maharashtra’s senior selection panel ahead of the 2011-12 season, thereby acquainting him with the players.”It is unfortunate to lose Dermot’s services but we are determined to make the most of the remaining two games. We will do everything we can to avoid relegation,” Bhave said after a long practice session at the Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium on Friday, on the eve of Maharashtra’s match against an in-form Baroda.