All posts by h716a5.icu

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.

Tottenham Hotspur have entered a new dawn following the announcement of manager Ange Postecoglou earlier this week, who has joined from Scottish champions Celtic on a four-year contract.

Australian manager Postecoglou achieved notoriety north of the border among Celtic supporters and won five of six domestic trophies available, including back-to-back Scottish Premiership titles in his time in Glasgow, as per Transfermarkt.

His arrival looks to have prompted a surge of transfer activity in N17 and Spurs have been linked with the likes of Harry Maguire, Jordan Pickford and James Maddison as their squad reshuffle begins to take shape.

One other name who has been mentioned as a potential recruit for Tottenham this off-season is Celtic marksman Kyogo Furuhashi, who has been one of the most prolific goalscorers around Europe this season, as per The Sun.

Who is Kyogo Furuhashi and why is he adored by Celtic supporters?

The Sun report states that Postecoglou is set to launch a bid to try and sign Furuhashi in the next few weeks; however, there is interest from multiple clubs across the continent, including Serie A giants Lazio, in potentially securing his signature.

Football Insider claim that Nottingham Forest are also keen on the Japan international, though Celtic are said to have opened talks over a new contract for the £19k-a-week ace in an attempt to keep him at Parkhead.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Dean Jones thinks that Tottenham could well try to raid Celtic to bring Furuhashi to the club ahead of the new season.

Jones told FFC: "I mean, the fact that the rumour was out before he's even through the door goes to show how much there's probably in this at the moment, but I think it's fair to say that it is he's got potential. I think he's one of the few players that actually could probably make the step up. I would have some element of trust in it, but at the moment, it's really no more than speculation."

Furuhashi, who was hailed as a "game-changing forward" prior to his move to Parkhead, was in blistering form for Celtic in 2022/23 and is widely regarded as the most clinical striker in Scotland, evidenced by the fact he hit 34 goals and five assists for the Hoops in 50 appearances across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.

It should be said that Furuhashi is believed to be 'very happy' at Celtic, as per Football Insider, though any move to Spurs may disadvantage Lilywhites' forward Richarlison's chances of featuring as a number nine in 2023/24.

Comparing the two players via WhoScored, there is only one winner when assessing predatory instincts in front of goal. Furuhashi comes out on top in shots per game and average match rating, having taken 2.4 shots to Richarlison's one per fixture.

At the same time, Furuhashi netted 27 league goals to Richarlison's solitary strike in the Premier League and picked up an average catch rating of 7.06 compared to Richarlison's 6.46.

Postecoglou is a huge fan of the 28-year-old and praised him earlier this year for his brace in a 3-2 victory over rivals Rangers at Parkhead in the Scottish Premiership, as per BBC Sportsound via 67 Hail Hail, stating: “I think from the moment he’s arrived, he’s been outstanding. Every time he plays he looks like he’s gonna score goals. The way he works for his team, he’s just brilliant. I never have to gee him up. I never have to get him motivated. He just goes out there, you see the size of him. Most of the time he’s up against guys who are a lot bigger than him a lot more physical. He’s got this really sort of kind nature about him."

Will Furuhashi's love affair with Celtic continue or can Postecoglou convince him to join Tottenham and play a part in his tenure in north London? It's difficult to tell at this point; however, Furuhashi would definitely be an astute signing by the Aussie as he adapts to his new life in Premier League surroundings.

Following a successful surgery to repair the shoulder fracture, Dale Steyn will have to undergo a six-month rehabilitation period before making a gradual return to bowling

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Nov-2016Dale Steyn underwent a successful shoulder surgery on Thursday in Cape Town to repair the fracture he suffered during the first Test against Australia in Perth, Cricket South Africa said in a release. The fast bowler will have to undergo a six-month rehabilitation before gradually returning to bowling.Steyn suffered the injury on the second day in Perth and told that he felt a thud in his shoulder and a lot of pain while bowling. He had bowled only 12.4 overs in the match, and had dismissed David Warner before walking off the field.”I felt this pop or like a thud in my shoulder. There was a lot of pain,” Steyn said. “I had to go off the field and have an MRI. I did something very similar against England in December in a similar area but it wasn’t as bad. That was a stress reaction, which is like a very hairline little crack. This time it’s more like a fracture. It’s kind of broken the whole bone.”Dr Mohammed Moosajee, South Africa’s team manager, said Steyn would begin his rehabilitation programme after a few weeks, once the bone had healed.”Dale had successful surgery on Thursday where the fracture in the right shoulder blade was fixated with the placement of a screw,” Moosajee was quoted as saying in a press release. “We expect a minimum six-month rehabilitation period before he can start any form of bowling. It is crucial to give the injury enough time to heal and to make sure that he is completely pain-free before he starts bowling again. He will begin with his rehabilitation programme once the satisfactory bony healing has taken place; this is expected to be in a few weeks.”We are positive that he will make a successful return to international cricket. He will be provided with the best possible support and guidance led by our physiotherapist, Brandon Jackson, and Cricket South Africa’s medical committee, which will give him the best opportunity to make a successful return to full fitness.”Steyn had suffered a similar injury late last year, and broke down during the Boxing Day Test against England. He was subsequently ruled out of the remaining matches of that series.Steyn made a comeback from that injury at the World T20 in March, featuring in two of South Africa’s four matches. He was then left out of the Caribbean triangular series in June – officially rested but unofficially dropped – and was allowed to play in the NatWest T20 Blast to regain form. He returned for South Africa’s Tests against New Zealand and seemed back to his best with eight wickets in the Centurion win. He also played in four of the five ODIs against Australia and was occasionally seen holding the shoulder but did not need treatment at any stage.

Nagraj Gollapudi09-Nov-2016The WICB has granted West Indies allrounder Kieron Pollard a no-objection certificate to participate in South Africa’s domestic T20 tournament, two days after he had not been given one. WICB chief executive Michael Muirhead said the board had not intended to completely deny the NOC and had apologised for the delay.WIPA against 20% levy

The West Indies Players Association has said the WICB’s decision to levy 20% of the contract fee on any Caribbean player playing in an overseas T20 tournament would “promote restraint of trade.”
“WIPA is totally against any new market restrictions or regulations that may limit our West Indian players. The present NOC levy of the WICB promotes the restraint of trade and is open to be challenged legally.”
The WICB said that West Indies was losing talented players to overseas leagues after having invested in and developed them for a long time.
“WIPA believes an imposition of a NOC levy by the WICB is not the answer to the lack of coherent global scheduling. A centrally regulated and coordinated international cricket programme for all three formats is necessary for the improvement of global cricket.”

The WICB, Muirhead said, had been waiting for response from other Full Member boards on the policy of levying a 20% contract fee for any West Indian player who wanted to play in an overseas league. Pollard had signed a two-year contract with Cape Cobras and was scheduled to leave for South Africa on Tuesday.”That is what we said in our letter to Mr Pollard,” Muirhead told ESPNcricinfo. “We apologise for the delay because we usually do it quite quickly, but we were awaiting some response from the cricket boards.”Although Muirhead did not mention this, Pollard said on his Twitter account that he was also granted permission to play in Australia’s Big Bash League. “NOC granted for both [SA domestic T20] and big bash!” Pollard tweeted late on Tuesday.In the first letter to Pollard, Muirhead said he could not be granted the NOC until the overseas boards responded. “This morning we got some responses and we have agreed to continue to discussions,” he said. “They are not in total agreement. But in principle they understand that everything is on the table and we now have their attention. We thought prudent hence to grant all NOCs that were pending.”Earlier on Tuesday, speaking to , a West Indies-based network, Muirhead said WICB never intended to deny Pollard an LOC. “It is a dynamic situation. It was very clear in the letter that Kieron got (on November 3). It was not denying him any NOC. It was explaining to him why it was taking a little longer. Normally we would respond and he would have got the NOC within seven days.”Muirhead also told the network that that a reason West Indies cricketers in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League were given NOCs was because the Bangladesh Cricket Board had responded “rather quickly” on the release fee concept. It is understood that BCB told WICB they would pay 10% of the player’s contracted fee in the BPL. It is not clear whether the BCB would make the payment or they would pass the burden on to the player’s franchise.

One priority position that Manchester United may be looking to strengthen this summer is the goalkeeping ranks, with speculation rife as to whether long-serving asset, David De Gea, will be kept on beyond his current contract.

With just a matter of weeks left to run on the Spaniard's existing deal, there have been reports that the 32-year-old is set to be offered an extension on reduced terms, albeit with manager Erik ten Hag unlikely to guarantee that the former Atletico Madrid man will remain his first-choice pick ahead of next season.

The £375k-per-week man has arguably become a "big problem" for the Red Devils – according to pundit Jamie Carragher – having been culpable for Ilkay Gundogan's winner in the FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City.

According to Manchester Evening News journalist, Samuel Luckhurst, that inability to deal with the German's 'saveable' attempt is another reason why De Gea 'needs moving on', with the question now as to just who could usurp the Premier League title winner at Old Trafford.

One potential surprise option that has emerged of late is that of Everton and England stopper, Jordan Pickford, with The Sun claiming that Ten Hag is eyeing a move for the 29-year-old, even if De Gea does stay at the club.

The report suggests that despite the former Sunderland man having only recently signed a new long-term deal at Goodison Park, a fee of around £30m could be enough to seal a deal this summer.

Should Man United sign Pickford?

While the experienced 'keeper has arguably been "outstanding" for his country in recent years – according to pundit Jamie O'Hara – after starting in the last three major tournaments, the jury is out on whether he can be relied upon on a consistent basis at club level.

In the view of BT Sport's Chris Sutton, the £125k-per-week asset is a "strange goalkeeper" and something of a "liability" between the sticks, as he simply "makes too many errors".

The 52-cap maverick notably made two errors leading to goals in the top flight in 2022/23 – the same tally as De Gea – with it clear to see that such a move would not be without risk for United.

The Old Trafford hierarchy may also be fearful of getting stung once again with the signing of a high-profile addition from Goodison, having memorably sealed an ultimately flawed deal for Romelu Lukaku from the Toffees back in 2017.

The Belgian international – who notably missed a gilt-edged chance for Inter Milan in Saturday's Champions League final – did score 42 goals in 96 games during his time in Manchester, although the towering marksman was unable to truly impress through the middle, having been lambasted by Luckhurst for his "woeful" and "costly" finishing in 2018.

Club legend Paul Scholes was also heavily critical of the striker's link-up play after suggesting that the one-time Chelsea man's "control isn't great", while fellow treble winner Gary Neville went as far as to claim that he was "delighted" when Lukaku was eventually sold to Inter for a fee of around £74m in 2019 – having been signed for a similar price two years earlier.

With those at the Theatre of Dreams evidently not warming to the Antwerp-born powerhouse, there may be fears that a similar disaster could occur if Pickford is to plot the same path this summer.

Arsenal have not made a proposal for Galatasaray right-back Sacha Boey, despite contrary recent reports, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

Will Arsenal sign Boey?

Boey could well be on his way to the Premier League this summer, amid interest from both Crystal Palace and Arsenal, with the former reportedly expected to make a bid, having allocated €15m (£13m) for the potential transfer.

Arsenal have also been linked with a move for the right-back, with reports indicating they are "seriously interested" in bringing him to the Emirates Stadium, and a more recent update has detailed they have even lodged an official bid.

The Gunners are said to have made an offer of €20m (£17m) for the Galatasaray ace, but the Turkish club are demanding €25m (£21.5m) if they are to part with one of their prized assets this summer.

However, Romano has since taken to Twitter to dismiss these reports, alleging that Mikel Arteta is yet to come to the table with a bid for the 22-year-old. The transfer guru said:

"Arsenal have not made any proposal for Sacha Boey at this stage, despite reports. Been told there was no meeting with his new agents, just one of many players appreciated but not a negotiation as things stand.

"Galatasaray want more than €20m for their right back."

Who is Sacha Boey?

Given that Arsenal have Champions League football on offer next season, they should be well-placed to sign the Frenchman, if they are willing to meet Galatasaray's demands, and he could be an excellent addition to Arteta's squad.

With Ben White expected to play in a central role next year, the Gunners will need to add some more depth at right-back, and Boey has performed very well for Galatasaray in the Turkish Super Lig so far this season.

Having averaged a WhoScored match rating of 7.28, the full-back is ranked as the Turkish side's second-best performer in the squad, showcasing his defensive ability by averaging 2.7 tackles per game, the joint-highest figure in the squad.

Given that he has four assists to his name, the Montreuil-born defender can also be a threat on the front foot, and he is strong in the air, averaging 2.2 aerials won per game. Lauded as a "true warrior" by members of the media, Boey has displayed he is ready to make the step up to the Premier League, and it could be wise for Arsenal to pursue a deal this summer.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has said that dew played a role in reducing the effectiveness of his bowling attack during the day-night Test in Dubai

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Oct-20163:06

‘A special win in our 400th Test’ – Misbah

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has said that dew played a role in reducing the effectiveness of his bowling attack during the day-night Test in Dubai because the dampness affected the pink ball’s ability to spin and reverse swing. He also said the pitch did not deteriorate as it usually does at the venue because the dew.The day-night fixture was Pakistan’s tenth Test in Dubai, where they have won six matches and drawn and lost two each. The 56-run victory against West Indies, who were dismissed with 12 overs remaining in their chase of 346, was Pakistan’s narrowest at the venue.The pattern of the game, which was only the second day-night Test, was in contrast to the first such fixture in Adelaide, where Australia beat New Zealand inside three days in a match dominated by bowlers. In contrast, Pakistan made 579 and 123 in Dubai, while West Indies made 357 and 289.”A bit of dew in the evening session was affecting the ball. With the sogginess, the ball was getting softer so different factors contributed and helped the batsmen score runs,” Misbah said after the Test. “Spinners and fast bowlers will get more help and reverse swing will also be there in the dry weather. But in the evening the pink ball was getting wet and the seam was swelling and it got softer.”The pitch was on the slower side, I don’t know why, but otherwise the Dubai pitch normally starts deteriorating after two days. But since the dew was helping the pitch bind again and it wasn’t breaking up at the same rate it used to. But in the end it was a good Test match, both teams played really well, and it’s good for the Test cricket.”West Indies began the final day needing 251 runs with eight wickets in hand. They lost Marlon Samuels off the first ball but Darren Bravo held the chase together. Misbah said he had nervous moments until Bravo was eventually dismissed for 116 in the final session, and rued his team’s fourth-day collapse for 123 that had let West Indies into the game.”It was tough for the team and for the captain,” Misbah said. “Certainly you were ahead of them for almost three and a half days but in one session you had given the advantage to the opposition. Maybe had we batted for another 15 overs, with 400 runs on board we could have got them out early.Misbah praised Bravo for his resilience. He batted 406 minutes in the fourth innings to take the game deep and Misbah was appreciative of how the West Indian batsman had played legspin.”The way he handled Yasir Shah, that was really something special. He [Yasir] was turning the ball from roughs but he [Bravo] showed good defence and attacked him at times,” Misbah said. “That was the main reason he neutralised Yasir for quite a long time but still Yasir managed to take wickets. Every passing ball was putting pressure but thankfully we managed to win the game. You should give credit to the opposition, they played really well and it was a good game in the end.”

West Ham United star Declan Rice is ready to make it clear he "favours" a move to Arsenal this summer, according to reports.

Who could join Arsenal this summer?

The north Londoners and manager Mikel Arteta, despite fighting for the vast majority of this season, ultimately fell short in their attempts to win a first Premier League title in nearly 20 years.

Champions Man City secured a third-sucessive domestic crown as Pep Guardiola chases the treble, but given just how long Arsenal were in pole position, there are a lot of positives to take from this campaign.

Injuries to key men like centre-back William Saliba towards the backend of 2022/2023 arguably hampered their efforts, with many points dropped in April.

As such, strengthening in key areas is a top priority for the Gunners, with central midfield seemingly right at the forefront of their thinking.

Rice, Brighton star Moises Caicedo, City captain Ilkay Gundogan and Chelsea's Mason Mount have all been linked with moves to north London – with Wolves' Ruben Neves also billed as a target.

The Hammers captain, though, is thought to be a top target for Arteta, with reliable reports suggesting an official bid will be submitted next month and after the season draws to a close.

Now, as per The Mirror, there has been a further update – with Rice ready to express that he "favours" a switch to Arsenal in the summer window.

The London side have apparently already put in a lot of groundwork in regards to a move for the 24-year-old and Arteta personally has a vision for how Rice will fit into his system.

There is also a belief at Arsenal that they're in pole position for his signing, with Granit Xhaka also expected to potentially leave as Bayer Leverkusen push to bring him to the Bundesliga.

Who is Declan Rice?

The Three Lions ace, who also impressed at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, is a key player for David Moyes – standing out as their best-performer by average match rating this season (WhoScored).

Rice is a midfield general at West Ham, averaging more interceptions per 90 than any of his teammates, with members of the media calling him "utterly sensational" for his contributions in claret and blue.

The former Chelsea academy ace has also been branded "underrated" for his efforts in the middle of the park, but if Arsenal are to sign him, reports suggest he could well cost north of £100 million.

Afghanistan earned a hard-fought two-wicket win in the second ODI against Bangladesh in Mirpur to level the three-match series

The Report by Mohammad Isam in Mirpur28-Sep-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsAsghar Stanikzai scored a crucial half-century in a tricky chase for Afghanistan•Associated PressAfghanistan earned a hard-fought two-wicket win in the second ODI against Bangladesh in Mirpur to level the three-match series, banking on astute planning to leave the home crowd at the Shere Bangla National Stadium stunned. The win came mainly through a 107-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Mohammad Nabi and captain Asghar Stanikzai in a chase of 209. Both batsmen were out with Afghanistan 35 away from a win, but Najibullah Zadran rallied the lower order and the side scraped through with two balls to spare.Nabi and Stanikzai came together at the crease in the 16th over with Afghanistan at 63 for 4, following Mohammad Shahzad’s miscued slog to backward point off Shakib Al Hasan. The pair struck a four and a six off Shakib in the same over but had to wait another 5.4 for another boundary.Despite the lull in boundaries, the pair kept rotating the strike and Stanikzai fought cramps to score his sixth ODI fifty, which included four fours and two sixes. Nabi, who had taken the wickets of Shakib and Mashrafe Mortaza earlier in the match, missed out on the landmark when Mashrafe trapped him lbw in the 40th over, and the side lost Stanikzai in the next over, caught at the deep square leg boundary off debutant Mosaddek Hossain.Rashid Khan became Shakib’s fourth victim, in his final over, trapped plumb in front for 5, with Afghanistan 20 runs away from the target. Mirwais Ashraf played out Shakib’s last two deliveries carefully, and the bowler ended with returns of 4 for 47. Najibullah and Ashraf then saw off the next over, which was Mashrafe’s last.The match could have still swung Bangladesh’s way had Mushfiqur Rahim completed an easy stumping of Zadran with 13 runs required. Bangladesh’s players were crestfallen, but Taskin ended up removing the left-hander in the final over with the scores level. The winning hit came from the other Zadran, Dawlat, who slashed a boundary through backward point.Afghanistan’s chase had started with Shahzad flicking a four off the first ball before Nawroz Mangal took two fours off Shakib in the fourth over. Two balls later, however, Mangal misread Shakib’s length and spooned a catch to cover. Shakib went onto have Rahmat Shah lbw for a two-ball duck in the same over.Shahzad sparkled briefly and added 45 runs for the third wicket with Hashmatullah Shahidi, who was trapped lbw for 14 by Mosaddek off his first ball in ODI cricket. Shakib then had Shahzad skewing a catch to backward point for a run-a-ball 35.Bangladesh’s innings would have ended sooner had it not been for the 43-run stand for the tenth wicket between Mosaddek and Rubel, who kept out Rashid’s hat-trick delivery in the 43rd over. Rashid was rampant at that stage, having removed Taijul and Taskin off successive balls.Mosaddek finished with an unbeaten 45, including four boundaries and two sixes. The scoop over long leg and pull over midwicket stood out. When he had come out to bat, Bangladesh were 138 for 5 with Shakib having been given out lbw to a debatable decision. Mosaddek saw wickets tumble around him, but stayed composed.Earlier, Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah added 61 for the third wicket, but Bangladesh lost their last seven wickets for 86 runs. That proved the turning point.

The day-long defiance of Keaton Jennings spoiled Nottinghamshire’s hopes of the victory which would have given them a lifeline in Division One

ECB Reporters Network02-Sep-2016
ScorecardKeaton Jennings led Durham’s fightback•Getty ImagesThe day-long defiance of Keaton Jennings spoiled Nottinghamshire’s hopes of the victory which would have given them a lifeline in Division One of the Specsavers County Championship. The opener joined Michael Di Venuto and Paul Collingwood as the only players to score six Championship centuries in a season for Durham and went on to make an unbeaten 171.Durham were 385 for 8, leading by 316, when bad light forced a break, prompting a declaration which may have been influenced by a forecast of rain on Saturday afternoon. The sun re-emerged and Nottinghamshire, with eight overs to bat, reached 17 before Graham Onions trimmed Jake Libby’s off stump with four balls left.Five of Jennings’ six hundreds have come at Emirates Riverside, underlining the improvement in pitches, and this third-day surface had the visitors looking careworn by lunchtime. Despite having a nightwatchman to bowl at, they went through the session wicketless as Graham Onions passed his career-best 41 and went on to contribute 65 to a stand of 162.Jennings, who was on 32 overnight, almost fell to the day’s second and ninth balls. The first edge off Luke Fletcher fell just short of gully and the second, off Harry Gurney, flew straight through where third slip should have been. Gurney beat him a few times, but generally offered a mixed bag, as did the other left-armer, Luke Wood.Onions applied himself studiously to his task and made only eight in the first 45 minutes. He then off drove Gurney for four and lifted Imran Tahir over mid-on as he scored 49 of the 118 runs added in the session. A straight drive off Fletcher took him to his maiden half-century off 119 balls, earning rapturous applause and a hug from Jennings.After Onions fell lbw when trying to hit Samit Patel over midwicket, the best support came from Barry McCarthy with 28 in an unbroken stand of 51. Fletcher took two wickets with the new ball and Tahir went on a celebratory jig through the covers when Stuart Poynter inside-edged a drive into his stumps.Jennings proceeded at the same measured tempo, reaching 50 off 112 balls, his hundred off 204 and 150 off 285. He fiercely put away any short, wide stuff from the left-armers, drove sweetly and carefully nudged ones and twos. He also showed the skill which allowed him to score 88 in the NatWest T20 Blast final with three perfectly executed reverse sweeps.