All posts by h716a5.icu

ESPNcricinfo previews Yorkshire’s prospects for the 2017 season

David Hopps05-Apr-2017Last season:
In: Azeem Rafiq
Out: Andrew Gale
Overseas: Peter Handscomb (Aus), Travis Head (Aus, T20)2016 in a nutshell
For much of the season, Yorkshire were in contention not just for a third successive Championship, but also a coveted treble in all three formats. Instead, they ended up with nothing. As well as their defeat to Middlesex on the last day of the season with the Championship at stake, they lost in the semi-finals on NatWest Blast finals day when only Adam Lyth made much of a fist of a target of 157 and went out at the same stage in the Royal London Cup as Steve Davies’ hundred spearheaded Surrey’s victory. In the Championship, Lyth and Alex Lees were strong up top, but the middle-order failed repeatedly. Jack Brooks’ 60 wickets was a tally unmatched by Division One pace bowlers and Ryan Sidebottom strove as valiantly as ever, while Tim Bresnan had a redoubtable summer with bat and ball, all concluded with his unavailing 142 against Middlesex at Lord’s, to underline his popularity within the county.2017 prospects
Yorkshire should challenge strongly again in all competitions, but they do have vulnerabilities. They have immediately been exposed in the Championship by Brooks’ absence from the first month because of a calf injury. That puts the onus elsewhere. Sidebottom will want a final hurrah in his last season, but Liam Plunkett and David Willey had a joint tally of only 19 Championship wickets in 12 matches last season, and Willey, whose much-trumpeted arrival at Yorkshire has so far been a bit of a dud, is recovering from a shoulder operation. Matt Fisher has huge potential but hamstring and groin injuries demand he is used conservatively until his resilience is proven. England’s withdrawal of Jonny Bairstow from early games (even though he was free to enter the IPL auction – work out the logic in that) will ask also questions of the middle order, although the prospect of Australian Peter Handscomb at No. 3, followed by Gary Ballance, means the pressing issues are at No 5. Travis Head will expect to make a bigger impact as he returns for the NatWest Blast.In charge
Andrew Gale steps up from captain to first-team coach as Yorkshire put faith in their own, a similar decision to that over the Pennines with Lancashire handing the coach’s role to Glen Chapple. It will be intriguing to see how Gale’s passionate and demanding leadership style translates, but his retirement was judiciously timed and, like Chapple, he has the advantage of being highly respected within the county. Ballance, Gale’s choice as captain, still harbours hopes of an England return, but as long as he commits himself fully to the role it can prove to be a good decision. All overseen by the wise counsel of director of cricket Martyn Moxon, who may keep a closer eye on first-team affairs until the new team bed in.Key player
Much will rest with Ballance as Yorkshire seek to rid themselves of last summer’s disappointment. A prolific season with the bat would offset Yorkshire’s middle-order issues in the Championship and, with a few injury concerns around, he will need to manage his pace-bowling resources shrewdly. Man-management skills will involve getting the best out of Lees, who he replaces as captain in the limited-overs formats after only one season, and Adil Rashid, whose eyes will be on Champions Trophy success and whose relationship with Gale had its ups and downs.Bright young thing
Most eyes will be on Fisher, with good reason, but Matthew Waite’s appetite for the fray, whether with bat and ball, created an excellent impression during two high-pressure limited-overs matches in 2016 – a quarter-final victory against Glamorgan in the NatWest Blast and in the Royal London Cup semi-final defeat against Surrey at Headingley. Such are the advantages, the Yorkshire dressing room will testify, of learning how to put his contact lenses in the right way round. Waite, a former Yorkshire Academy captain, is a combative seamer and lower-middle order batsman and should make further progress over 20 and 50 overs this summer.ESPNcricinfo verdict
Yorkshire look bound for a top-three finish in the Championship, but a third title in four years will depend on finding a winning blend in a pace attack that is heavily stocked with over-30s. With a new £32m stand to fund – negotiations, although delicate, seem to be reaching fruition – they also need the sort of NatWest Blast season that pulls in big crowds for more than just the Roses match.Bet365 odds: Specsavers Championship Div 1 11-5; NatWest Blast 9-1; Royal London Cup 13-2

Everton are yet to sign any new additions over the summer transfer window which will be a major concern for the Goodison Park faithful considering the situation that the club found themselves in last season.

The Toffees finished just two points clear of being relegated to the Championship after Abdoulaye Doucoure's strike against Bournemouth on the final day saved them from their first-ever relegation since the Premier League began back in 1992.

Indeed, there is no doubt that Sean Dyche and his recruitment team will be working hard to identify players who can improve the performances of the squad and the former Burnley boss will surely be keen to make his own mark on the squad by adding new players who fit his tactical philosophy.

However, Everton have not only had their struggles on the pitch but behind the scenes too with financial troubles, looming FFP investigations and talk of a potential take-over affecting the club hierarchy's ability to focus solely on the football, which could ultimately result in their downfall if the club doesn't act fast.

One avenue that Dyche and Kevin Thelwell have reportedly been exploring is the acquirement of a number of recently relegated Leeds United players, with Jack Harrison, Rodrigo and Wilfried Gnonto all being linked with a move to Goodison Park.

It was reported this week by Italian news outlet Calciomercato that the Merseyside club currently have the upper hand in their negotiations to sign the Italian winger, Gnonto, and are considered front-runners for his signature despite interest from other clubs like Aston Villa and Fiorentina.

Will Everton sign Wilfried Gnonto this summer?

There is no doubt that attacking reinforcements should be the top priority for the Toffees this summer after failing to replace Anthony Gordon and Richarlison's presence in the final third.

Dyche is definitely short of options on the wider flanks of his attacking threat with just Dwight McNeil and Demarai Gray to lean on last season, so there is a real opportunity to strengthen those positions ahead of next season to significantly improve the creativity and goal contributions offered.

As a result, the signing of Gnonto would be a no-brainer for Everton this summer as the youthful talent is not only Premier League proven but bears a semblance to Gerard Deulofeu.

Deulofeu quickly became an incredibly well-liked member of the team when he joined from Barcelona back in 2013 and was one of the most exciting young prospects in European football at just 19 years old. Coincidentally, Gnonto happens to be the exact same age.

The talented Spaniard tallied up eight goals and registered 19 assists over his 75 appearances with the Blues, predominantly playing on the right wing and contributing heavily to creating opportunities for his strike partner to convert, before being snatched back by Barcelona when they activated their buy-back clause in 2017.

That eye for goal and creative spark is something Everton could now regain through the signing of Gnonto as the Italian youngster – dubbed a "pocket rocket" and "tremendous by Tam McManus – is a consistent contributor from the channels – with experience on both the right and the left flank.

Over his short career so far, the Leeds prodigy – who has a reported valuation of £18m – has scored 34 goals and registered 21 assists in 150 appearances so far, with a goal contribution every 133 minutes so far, which is an impressive output that would be highly valued for Everton next season.

With that being said, a potential move for Gnonto will definitely be one to watch and should Dyche be able to continue the young player's promising development it could set up Everton's threat in front of goal for years to come.

An in-house media unit and game-development staff, major infrastructure investment, a 150% rise in women’s pay, and a virtual freeze of domestic men’s pay levels are on Cricket Australia’s pay proposal to the Australian Cricketers Association

Daniel Brettig06-Apr-2017An in-house media unit and game-development staff to rival the Australian Football League, major infrastructure investment, a 150% rise in women’s pay, and a virtual freeze of domestic men’s pay levels. These are among the key items on Cricket Australia’s (CA) wish-list under its pay proposal to the Australian Cricketers Association (ACA), in exchange for breaking up the fixed-revenue percentage model that has remained in place for the past 20 years – the most prosperous two decades in Australian cricket’s history.Affirmative action fuels women’s pay rise

Massive pay rises for women under Cricket Australia’s pay offer to the Australian Cricketers Association are described as a form of affirmative action to compensate for past neglect and as “fundamental to cricket maintaining its social licence to operate in the eyes of the community”.
Members of the Australia national women’s team stands to earn pay rises of around 166% on their 2016-17 levels, while domestic players stand to gain almost as much, rising 150% on this season’s remuneration. CA states that it will commit as much as A$33 million to pay domestic players over the next five years.
International women, meanwhile, stand to gain a portion of surpluses from international matches, with a figure capped at A$20 million to be split 80-20 between the men’s and women’s teams. CA’s proposal states that this is in order to redress past imbalances: “Independent experts have highlighted that the historical disproportionate investment in international men’s cricket relative to international women’s cricket has contributed to the value differential between the two. Consequently, CA is proposing a 20% allocation of the surplus share to international women as a special measure that begins to reduce the value differential versus international men’s cricket.”

As MOU negotiations continue ahead of the June 30 deadline, ESPNcricinfo has seen the full pay offer put to the players by the board, which outlines the landscape that CA wishes to create by radically altering its existing partnership with the ACA. The board’s rivalry with the AFL for players and supporters is writ large across much of the 29-page proposal, with the league currently embroiled in a parallel pay dispute as footballers chase their own fixed-percentage model.Though CA has publicly pushed the vast increase in pay for female cricketers as the keynote of its offer – backed up by a series of supportive statements from state associations – its full proposal spends a great deal of time outlining realms the board claims it cannot fund due to the fixed-revenue share model. While the ACA has contended that the board currently gets 80 cents in the dollar to spend on “whatever it likes”, the areas in which CA have effectively “cried poor” include:- Further growth of CA’s in-house media unit, which expanded vastly over the past four years via a AUD 60 million (USD 45mn approx) digital component of the board’s current television rights deal, plus around AUD 15 million (USD 11mn approx) tipped in by the telecommunications company Optus in 2015. AFL Media, housed across town from CA’s Jolimont headquarters, employs more than 100 staff, far in advance of CA’s digital arm.The document states: “CA is currently precluded from considering increased in-house media production, because the current revenue-share model would see a share of any increased media revenue allocated to the PPP [player payment pool] without offsetting any of the additional investment that was required.”- Increasing the number of game-development staff around Australia from 170 to 290, again closing the gap with the AFL’s network of more than 450 employed in equivalent roles. CA estimates that this expansion would cost in the order of AUD 17 (USD 13mn approx) million annually.- Addressing issues being raised by the first national audit of Australian cricket infrastructure, a process in its final stages of assessing around 6,000 facilities. While the full audit is yet to be released, CA’s offer states that “early indications suggest perhaps 75% of facilities do not yet have female-appropriate amenities”. In all, CA has estimated up to AUD 76 million (USD 57mn approx) in funds could be reallocated to “grassroots” investment under its proposal.- Removing CA’s requirement to pass on percentages of revenue drawn from areas such as state sponsorship deals and also providing a cash equivalent to the players for “contra”, the practice of providing free television advertising for cricket on the Nine and Ten networks rather than the networks paying the full amount of any broadcast rights deal.- The pursuing of other commercial “growth initiatives with returns that would be attractive to other organisations” that the board claims it cannot currently undertake because the break-even margin is too high after the players’ percentage is taken out.As first flagged in its initial submission to the players last December, CA’s offer contends that while the wages of female cricketers and also international men deserve to rise significantly, those of domestic male players – in both the Sheffield Shield and Matador Cup competitions plus the Big Bash League – have been growing at unsustainable pace.ESPNcricinfo LtdHaving outlined how average state retainer contracts have grown from AUD 50,000 (USD 38,000 approx) in 2011-12 to AUD 87,000 (USD 66,000 approx) in 2016-17, CA proposes to offer only another AUD 1,000 (USD 750 approx) to these contracts next summer, and just AUD 6,000 (USD 4500 approx) overall across the five years covered by the proposed MOU period. Average match fee totals would go from AUD 58,000 (USD 44,000 approx) per player in 2016-17 to AUD 62,000 (USD 47,000 approx) in 2021-22. Similarly, BBL contracts would creep from an average of AUD 78,000 (USD 59,000 approx) in 2016-17 to AUD 104,000 (USD 79,000 approx) by the conclusion of the agreement.By combining state and BBL figures, CA claims that its domestic wages are now “higher than the NRL [National Rugby League] and growing towards the level of the AFL in 2016” – average AFL salaries were calculated at AUD 300,000 (USD 200,000 approx) and NRL AUD 244,000 (USD 185,000 approx) last year. However not every state player has a BBL contract: for instance neither this season’s highest Sheffield Shield run-maker Ed Cowan, nor the highest wicket-taker Chadd Sayers, played any part.This dramatic slowing of domestic player wage growth is justified by CA’s statement that “domestic cricket (i.e. men’s and women’s BBL and state cricket) is not expected to deliver any significant financial surplus in the next MOU period”. The offer goes on to state domestic wages will be “effectively funded by sharing the international cricket financial surplus with domestic players”.It is a forecast that contrasts wildly with common estimates of the extra money expected to be pulled in by the standout success of the BBL on free-to-air television over the past four years. The Ten Network paid AUD 20 million (USD 15mn approx) a season up to AUD 100 million (USD 75mn approx) over five years for the tournament, a deal that will expire in 2018, one year into the proposed MOU period.Estimates of the figure likely to be fetched by CA for the next domestic BBL rights deal have risen as high as AUD 60 million (USD 45mn approx) a season for a total of AUD 300 million (USD 227mn approx). This is without mentioning the domestic and overseas rights deals to be negotiated around the same period. Nine paid just under AUD 500 million (USD 379mn approx) for international cricket in 2013.While talks between CA and the ACA have resumed after a public breakdown in negotiations last December, the players have appeared unmoved in their opposition to the current proposal. The ACA’s chief executive, Alistair Nicholson, said as much last week.”We’ve spent a lot of time with the players talking about what’s coming,” he told the . “And now what’s been coming has come, I’m confident that the players have a good understanding of the issues and are determined not to settle for anything other than what has given the game success over 20 years.”

Everton keeping Bill Kenwright on the board is only a "temporary measure", Paul Brown told FootballFanCast.

The club announced three weeks ago that Chief Executive Officer Denise Barrett-Baxendale, Chief Finance and Strategy Officer Grant Ingles and Non-Executive director Graeme Sharp had left their roles.

What is the latest news regarding Bill Kenwright?

Everton had an abysmal season on the pitch last campaign, surviving relegation on the last day of the season thanks to a 1-0 victory at Goodison Park against Bournemouth.

Off the pitch, it was a tumultuous season with many Evertonians voicing their displeasure towards those in power about the situation the club was in throughout the previous two seasons. A number of fan groups including the All Together Now group staged protests throughout the season with the aim of the "removal of the Everton board", with the most notable run being nine straight protests pre-match before the club's final nine home games of the season.

Whilst for the most part, the protests were peaceful, a dark moment came when the Everton board of directors were forced to not attend the clubs home defeat to Southampton due to what the club described as "A real and credible threat to their safety."

Following the conclusion of the season, the Toffees announced the departures of three board members, however, Kenwright was convinced to stay on as the club's chairman by owner Farhad Moshiri. In a statement, Moshiri revealed that he had asked the 77-year-old to remain in his role to help the club in this "transition period".

Everton have since replaced the outgoing directors with interim roles instead, suggesting that the board of directors is due for another overhaul.

What has Paul Brown said regarding Bill Kenwright's future at Everton?

Speaking to FootballFanCast, Brown stated that Everton fans who are disappointed with the news shouldn't get frustrated just yet, as the move is only a temporary one, and Kenwright could still leave in the future.

The journalist said: "I don't think this is anything more than a temporary measure really, and the fans shouldn't be too frustrated with it. Because this is not the end game, yet. We haven't seen the end game for Everton yet."

What is the endgame for the Everton board?

Ultimately, the endgame for the club is to finalise their permanent new-look board, and they are closing in on achieving that goal, with Kenwright's future by no means safe.

Owner Moshiri has pressed ahead in his search for fresh investment within the club as he looks for help in financing the clubs new £760m stadium on Bramley-Moore Dock, and seems to have found his investor after a long search period.

US-based MSP Sports Capital entered exclusivity talks with the former Arsenal investor last month, and should an agreement be reached, MSP are expected to take a number of seats on Everton's permanent new-look board.

That could be the final piece that the club are waiting for before letting Kenwright go, and giving many disgruntled Everton fans what they are after.

Nick Gubbins hit an unbeaten half century to steer England Lions to the brink of victory in their warm-up game in Sri Lanka A before they were foiled by a spectacular storm

ECB Reporters Network14-Feb-2017
ScorecardNick Gubbins has been overshadowed of late•Getty ImagesNick Gubbins hit an unbeaten half-century to steer England Lions to the brink of victory in their warm-up game in Sri Lanka A before they were foiled by a spectacular storm.Not that the Sri Lanka President’s XI could be entirely written off. Gubbins was on 52 from 80 balls, and the Lions were on 171 for 6, still needing another 28 to win, when an alarming flash of lightning sent the players scurrying from the field.Thunder had been rumbling around Moratuwa, in the southern suburbs of Colombo, for a while, and within minutes it was raining heavily. But the result was never the priority for the Lions in this game, as they aimed to make the most of their only match practice before the first of the two four-day games against Sri Lanka A starts in Kandy on Friday. In that respect, Gubbins and coach Andy Flower declared it a major success.No comeback joy for LeachGetty Images

Jack Leach got through his first match back since remodelling his action with mixed results.
Leach, whose illegal action was spotted at the national academy in Loughborough, so preventing his consideration as a replacement on England’s Test tour of India, completed the three-day match against a Sri lanka President’s XI in Moratuwa without any major malfunctions.
Success was hard to come by, however. Leach took one late-order wicket in the first innings and then conceded 68 runs without success in 14 overs before a late storm prevented a positive result.

The game was played with pink Kookaburra balls, as the first four-dayer in Kandy will be, before the teams revert to red balls for the second match in Dambulla.”It was good for me to spend some time out there, and if you look through the game I think all of our batsmen and bowlers have got something out of it,” said Gubbins, who had a sterling season for Middlesex in 2016 but whose development has been overshadowed by the Test honours bestowed in recent months on fellow openers Keaton Jennings, who is skippering the Lions, and Haseeb Hameed.Two of Gubbins’ Middlesex team-mates, Ollie Rayner and Tom Helm, impressed with the ball as the Lions worked steadily through the six wickets that remained in the Board President’s XI second innings at the start of the final day.Rayner took the only two wickets of the morning session in a single over, both courtesy of Joe Clarke. Clarke was again wicketkeeping with the Lions taking no chances with Ben Foakes’s back problem, although the Surrey man is still hoping to take the gloves for the first unofficial Test.Clarke took a sharp catch then claimed a tidy stumping, and ended the match with seven victims after being doubtful himself before the match because of a wrist problem.Sam Curran then made an important double breakthrough after lunch, and Helm claimed the wicket a probing spell deserved when Hameed took a good catch running back from midwicket.Hameed then dominated an opening stand of 51 inside 12 overs with Keaton Jennings, making 39 from 45 balls including seven boundaries until he fell lbw to the left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara.Jennings had only contributed seven to that partnership, but the Lions captain accelerated after tea, crunching a six over midwicket and scoring three of his seven fours with the reverse sweep that famously brought him a century on Test debut in Mumbai before Christmas. He retired a single short of 50 to give the other batsmen some time in the middle in a pressure situation – and it was Gubbins who made the most of that opportunity, hitting two sixes and earning praise from Flower for his skill against the spinners.”It’s my first time in the subcontinent – the camp in Dubai before Christmas was the closest I’d been previously,” Gubbins reflected, while in his post-innings ice bath. “So it’s a new experience, and I definitely learned lessons from the first innings, when I got out quite cheaply.”That’s been the aim of the winter: experiencing some new conditions and making myself a better player. I was pleased with the way I batted in the second innings of our game against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi, and to come here and put into practice is really pleasing for me.”The Lions leave Colombo for Kandy on Wednesday morning, to face a Sri Lanka A team led by Dhananjaya de Silva, who made an impressive debut in Test cricket against Australia late last year.

Newcastle United have been strongly linked with a move for Dominik Szoboszlai this summer and now a new update has emerged from a reliable source on the club's pursuit of the player.

What's the latest on Newcastle's interest in Szoboszlai?

According to Sky Sports' North East correspondent Keith Downie, Newcastle are now focusing their attention on the RB Leipzig attacker after Tottenham Hotspur progress their deal to sign James Maddison.

Downie took to Twitter on Tuesday evening to reveal: "Newcastle target James Maddison is in advanced talks with Spurs, report my colleagues @skysportspaulg & @skysports_sheth. "Cautious optimism” a deal will get done — small gap in valuation with Leicester. NUFC likely to look to RB Leipzig’s Dominik Szoboszlai as option."

Italian journalist and transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has also revealed the player's release clause and when it will expire:

"This is how Dominik Szoboszlai’s exit clause works. Only valid until June 30 — worth €70m (£60m)."

Would Szoboszlai be a good signing for Newcastle?

There is no doubt that Eddie Howe will be thrilled with the progress his squad at St James' Park has made during his first full season in charge, however, now the manager faces new and difficult challenges as the club prepares for Champions League football next season.

This will be the first time Howe has ever managed a side in Europe, and it's the first time that Newcastle have qualified in over two decades, so there will be a lot of work to be done in pre-season, as well as a strong transfer window to recruit new additions who can add quality and experience.

As a result, the signing of Szoboszlai – hailed a "future icon" by scout Jacek Kulig – would be a great opportunity for Newcastle to add some depth to their attacking threat as the versatile talent is prolific in a number of positions.

The 22-year-old has taken on many roles over his short career so far with a wealth of experience in countless positions including central midfield, attacking midfield, as well as taking up a more advanced role on the left and right wings of the forward line, making him a hugely valuable asset and potentially a much better alternative to Maddison.

Indeed, when comparing the Hungarian ace to his Leicester City positional peer, Szoboszlai outperformed Maddison in a number of key attributes including shots on target rate (48.3% v 32.5%), pass completion (79.9% v 73.4%), shot-creating actions per 90 (5.52 v 5.01) and goal-creating actions per 90 (0.63 v 0.47), proving that he is a more consistent performer in front of goal and a more creative option for Howe to deploy next season.

Another strength that Szoboszlai possesses over Maddison is a wealth of Champions League experience; with 25 appearances in the elite European competition – scoring eight goals and registering three assists.

With that being said, it would be a no-brainer for Newcastle to snap up the services of Szoboszlai this summer as he could be a real threat to opponents from a number of positions and would provide the club with a fresh perspective in the final third next season.

An interesting development has emerged on Glasgow Rangers and their chances of landing a deal to bring Malik Tillman back to Ibrox for the 2023/24 campaign…

What's the latest on Malik Tillman's future at Rangers?

According to Sport1, via Sport Witness, the Light Blues are still in with a chance of securing a swoop for the USA international on another loan next term.

The report claims that Bayern Munich are willing to sanction another temporary deal for the young attacking midfielder after they decided to activate a clause that stripped the Scottish giants of their €6m (£5m) option to sign him permanently.

However, there is said to be interest from Premier League teams and that could make it difficult for Michael Beale to convince the 21-year-old magician to come back in the summer transfer window.

How did Malik Tillman perform last season?

Tillman enjoyed an incredible campaign with the Gers and his impressive performances for the club mean that the manager could get Ibrox rocking by snapping up the exciting talent again.

Rangers supporters would surely love to see him back in a blue shirt in 23/24 as the Bayern prodigy has already proven himself to be an exceptional option at Scottish Premiership level.

The right-footed whiz averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.09 across 28 league appearances and made a huge impact in the final third, whilst playing out wide and as a number ten.

He scored ten goals and created 12 'big chances' for his teammates throughout the Premiership campaign. Meanwhile, Ryan Kent – on the other flank – scored three goals and provided his fellow attackers with nine 'big chances' in 29 outings for the Light Blues prior to his move to Fenerbahce this summer.

The USMNT starlet also endeared himself to the supporters with his work rate out of possession and willingness to get stuck in for the team. No Rangers player averaged more tackles per game (two) in the top flight than Tillman and this shows that the hard-working wizard is able to provide usefulness on and off the ball.

These statistics, of his ability at both sides of the game, indicate that the 21-year-old prospect would be able to hit the ground running next season as he already knows what it takes to be a consistent performer for the club.

Therefore, Beale could delight the Ibrox faithful by signing the £13k-per-week ace, who was hailed as "phenomenal" by teammate John Lundstram, for a second loan spell this summer due to his pre-existing relationship with the supporters and his proven quality on the pitch.

The Supreme Court is likely to appoint a committee of administrators to run the BCCI on Tuesday and amicus curiae Gopal Subramanium wants them to be empowered

Nagraj Gollapudi23-Jan-2017The Supreme Court is likely to finalise a committee of administrators to run the BCCI on Tuesday, and amicus curiae Gopal Subramanium has asked for this committee to be given the power to run the IPL, appoint the board’s representative to ICC meetings and take over non-compliant state associations.There has been a leadership vacuum in the BCCI since January 2, when the court removed Anurag Thakur and Ajay Shirke as president and secretary. The court said that it would appoint a committee of administrators to oversee the board’s operations until fresh elections are conducted and its constitution amended as per the Lodha Committee’s recommendations.Subramanium filed an intervention application in the court last Wednesday, in which he said it was important and urgent to empower the committee “to allay any misgivings that cricketing activities will be affected due to transition in the administrative structure” of BCCI and the state associations.”The reliefs are emergent and necessary to assist and empower the Committee of Administrators to carry out the mandate of this Hon’ble Court and effectively discharge the onerous responsibility placed on them to ensure that the reforms are implemented in its letter and spirit.”Subramanium asked the court to issue “a direction that the Committee of Administrators shall also be in charge of IPL and may appoint advisors as they deem necessary; an injunction restricting any person, groups of persons, association(s), State Cricket Association(s) from interfering in the functions of the Committee of Administrators; a direction empowering the Committee of Administrators to nominate any member to represent BCCI in the forthcoming ICC Conferences.”Additionally, Subramanium wanted the committee of administrators to take control of all state associations that have not complied with the Lodha Committee’s recommendations. Some of them are still holding out despite the court’s orders in October limiting their financial freedom. Subramanium added more pressure by asking, “upon the office bearers of State Cricket Associations not filing an undertaking in accordance with the orders dated 7.10.2016 and 21.10.2016, the Committee of the Administrators shall be in charge of such State Cricket Association(s) including its properties until freshly elected bodies are in place.”Another significant plea from Subramanium concerned the reinstatement of the Lodha Committee’s authority.In its January 2 order, the court had agreed to a request by the Lodha Committee to limit their purview to “overall policy and direction”. But a week later, the Lodha Committee answered a list of frequently asked questions on who could become a BCCI office bearer. Kapil Sibal, the senior legal counsel who has been representing BCCI and some of the state associations, asked the court on January 20 whether the Lodha Committee was eligible to reply to those FAQs. The court told Sibal it would address the matter in due course.To counter such doubts, Subramanium wanted the court to restore the Lodha Committee’s powers: “…A direction that the mandate of the Justice Lodha Committee to complete oversight, implementation and issuing directions if necessary in terms of the judgement dated 18.7.2016 shall continue in addition to the administration of BCCI and implementation of the reforms by the Committee of Administrators and, liberty be granted to the Committee of Administrators to seek guidance and directions from the Justice Lodha Committee and if necessary to apply to the Hon’ble Supreme Court for directions through the Amicus Curiae.”

Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag is keen on signing Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund this summer and has video called the youngster to detail his plans for his prospective arrival, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest transfer news involving Rasmus Hojlund?

As per GOAL, Manchester United have been linked with a move for Hojlund this summer and it is believed that Atalanta are seeking to recoup £40 million for the teenage sensation.

Speaking to Tipsbladet with quotes transcribed via the outlet, Hojlund commented on recent developments, including his choice to sign up to a new agency and he also addressed rumours surrounding his future, stating: “It’s a trial period and that’s all I can say [agency]." He then added: “It is a huge club, so I must have done something right if it’s rumoured they want me. We have to see what happens. As you see and hear, I imagine a lot could happen to quite a few strikers this summer, as many clubs are looking for a No.9. Something will definitely happen there, and then we’ll have to wait and see if I am included in it. I am very happy to be with Atalanta and we have qualified for Europe. I have found myself in a really good place here, so now we have to wait and see.”

talkSPORT understand that Hojlund is subject to serious interest from the Red Devils, which is set to be taken up a notch in the off-season, with boss Ten Hag targeting two forwards to strengthen his forward line.

Sky Sports report that Tottenham Hotspur star Harry Kane is also a target for Manchester United; however, it is said that the England international may be unattainable, making Hojlund a more likely target at Old Trafford.

Interestingly, it has been reported that Ten Hag has already had a video call with the striker.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jones has shared his thoughts on the rumours that Ten Hag has made contact via a video call to try and sell Hojlund a vision of what life could be like at Manchester United.

Jones told FFC: "That personal touch can be so key in landing targets, we've seen Arteta use it to his benefit at Arsenal and I think it's a road that Ten Hag should be going down too. Making video calls is probably a good way of being able to get an early message across to a player, to show them your passion and show them the sincerity to which there is a pursuit of a player."

Does Rasmus Hojlund have the potential to succeed at Manchester United?

Hojlund absolutely has the potential to succeed at Manchester United and it is no surprise that the Premier League giants are trying to land the 20-year-old in an early stage of his career development.

In 2022/23, combined between his stint at Sturm Graz and factoring in his exploits at Atalanta, the Denmark international was in fine form, registering 16 goals and seven assists in 42 appearances, as per Transfermarkt.

WhoScored also note that Hojlund has a keen eye for goal and took on an average of 1.7 shots per match in Serie A during the campaign.

As per FBRef, Hojlund has also demonstrated excellent positional awareness and has soared in comparison to his positional peers in Europe's top five divisions concerning progressive passes received, taking in around 11 per match across the last 365 days, putting him in the first percentile for this metric.

Moving forward, Hojlund may well be a long-term solution in the final third for Manchester United that could grow into an elite striker with the correct man management.

Port Elizabeth’s famous brass band have been asked to push pause during play between South Africa and Sri Lanka by match referee David Boon

Firdose Moonda in Port Elizabeth26-Dec-2016Port Elizabeth’s famous brass band has been asked to push pause during play between South Africa and Sri Lanka by match referee David Boon. The instruction came in the second session of play on Monday. The band will be allowed to strike up a tune in any of the breaks, however.The band’s music, which started early on the day, was heard throughout the first session. They were also playing early in the second session, but the silence was notable as the tea interval approached. In the over before tea, though, they resumed playing again. Traditionally, the band has reserved that over and the third session to play their loudest.”It’s news to me [that the band were asked not to play],” JP Duminy said after the day’s play. “I love the band especially when they start saying ‘JP ‘.”‘JP you good thing’ is one of the band’s best known refrains but they were not able to belt it out when Duminy got to fifty. Instead, it appeared on the scoreboard.This was not the first time the band was silenced. In 2000, New Zealand’s batsmen had complained that they could not concentrate because the music was too loud and the band was asked not to play during their innings. They were allowed to play when South Africa batted.