All posts by h716a5.icu

In a sharp turnaround from his statements in May, when he enthusiastically backed Stanford’s plans, Michael Holding is now saying Twenty20 games won’t help revive cricket in the Caribbean

Cricinfo staff31-Aug-2008
Michael Holding: “He [Stanford] is telling people in the Caribbean that he wants to revive West Indian cricket but how is a week of Twenty20 cricket in Antigua going to do that?” © AFP
The millions offered by Antigua-based billionaire Allen Stanford may have won over the West Indies and England boards, but Michael Holding, the former West Indies fast bowler, has taken a contrarian stand, saying Twenty20 games won’t help revive cricket in the Caribbean. It marks a sharp turnaround from his statements in May, when he enthusiastically backed Stanford’s plans.”I’m not interested in being involved with Mr Stanford because I do not think Mr Stanford is telling the people what he’s really about,” Holding told the .The England team, as well as domestic Twenty20 champions Middlesex, will be involved in the week-long Stanford Super Series from October 25 to November 1. Stanford has on board a host of West Indian greats, including Garry Sobers and Viv Richards, but Holding said he won’t be present for the series. “I am not going to be involved in a farce,” he said. “He is telling people in the Caribbean that he wants to revive West Indian cricket but how is a week of Twenty20 cricket in Antigua going to do that?”In May, Holding had joined the board of the Stanford 20/20, the domestic Twenty20 tournament in the region, calling Stanford’s programme “amazing and comprehensive” and one that “encompasses funding for territorial development”.In this latest interview, he clarified his change of heart. “If what he started to do initially had been carried on, it would have benefited West Indies cricket because he was involved in the development of the game in various islands and donated money to them to improve their infrastructure,” he said. “That is when I was involved but now [that] Stanford has got into bed with the ECB he doesn’t need to do that anymore so he has abandoned it. He wants to promote himself and his companies, that’s all. If people can’t see that then I can’t help them, it’s their problem.”Holding said he doesn’t like the Twenty20 format. “I don’t think it is good for the game. Okay, it’s entertainment, but cricket is what made me what I am. Cricket gave me the lifestyle I have and cricket sent my children to school so I am interested in what is best for it, not just the entertainment value.”It has its place but it will be bad unless those in charge manage it properly and I do not think they can because they are blinded by money,” he said. “I can see Test cricket dying because of this. I am not saying how many years that will take but if I was a young cricketer now I would want to play Twenty20 because of all the money. Why would I want to play Test cricket? And that is very unhealthy.”Stanford himself has maintained that Twenty20, and not Test cricket, will attract youngsters and bring in revenue for players. However, while stating he would try to recover his investment in the Stanford 20/20 from the television rights, he maintained profits would go to the West Indies Cricket Board. In June, Stanford, who had stopped his funding to regional boards over their lack of accountability, resumed giving $15,000 to each board every month.Earlier in the year, Holding had quit the ICC’s cricket committee after its decision to change the result of the 2006 Oval Test between England and Pakistan from a Pakistan forfeit to a draw. “I will never get involved with any cricket committee or cricket board again for the rest of my life,” he said. “Never. I’ve had enough and I needed to move on. In my opinion, Pakistan and Inzamam-ul-Haq did the wrong thing in that match and I do not see why that result should have been changed for political expediency.”

Express & Star journalist Luke Hatfield believes that David Button will be West Bromwich Albion’s number one should Sam Johnstone depart the club this summer. 

Button started the Baggies pre-season match against Watford and kept a clean sheet, with the game finishing goalless.

There is much speculation about Sam Johnstone’s future at the Hawthorns, with Gabby Agbonlahor suggesting to Football Insider that West Brom will accept an £11m bid from West Ham for their number one goalkeeper.

If Johnstone does depart the Hawthorns this summer, Hatfield believes that David Button will become the new number one, telling Transfer Tavern: “We’ve seen reports of that being the case before with their pre-season game against Watford and I think it was pretty telling that Button started that game and then played the entire game, too. 

“We’ve seen the young player Alex Palmer come in between the sticks before, but that wasn’t the case at Watford, he was on the bench, he was an unused substitute, so I think that’s a sign from Valerien Ismael saying that Button is going to be our number one should Sam Johnstone leave.”

32-year-old Button has played plenty of football throughout his career, having played for the likes of Premier League new boys Brentford, Fulham, Brighton and Hove Albion and Plymouth to name a few, so would be a safe pair of hands to call upon for West Brom.

The Baggies have already been active in the transfer market, bringing in Alex Mowatt from Barnsley and also capturing the loan signing of Matt Clarke from one of Button’s former clubs Brighton and Hove Albion.

A hearing on Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar’s ban appeal has been postponed because the judge was not available and a new date will be announced next week

Cricinfo staff09-Sep-2008
Shoaib Akhtar will have to wait a while longer for a final ruling on his ban © AFP
The hearing for Shoaib Akhtar’s appeal against his ban has been postponed because the judge was not available and a new date will be announced next week, a lawyer for the Pakistan Cricket Board said.”Lahore High Court Justice Syed Zahid Hussain was not available to hear the case as he was attending the swearing-in ceremony of the president of Pakistan in Islamabad,” PCB lawyer Taffazul Rizvi told .Shoaib publicly criticised the PCB for offering him a retainership rather than a contract in February, a final act in a litany of offences, for which he was banned for five years. The ban was later reduced to eighteen months, and then temporarily suspended by the Lahore High Court.Despite the troubles caused by that outburst, Shoaib lashed out at PCB officials again during a television show in India. “Some people [in the Pakistan cricket administration] want to force their will and also want to save their egos,” he told . “In the process they have hurt not only me but also the country and Pakistan cricket. However, at the end of the day, I am back and I will play for Pakistan and god willing Pakistan will be back on the winning track.”His latest comments drew flak from former Test captain Intikhab Alam, who is also on the board’s governing body. “I am surprised at the statement he has made about the PCB because he was supposed to go to England and play county cricket, not land up in Mumbai for a dance show and also give irresponsible statements,” he told .Shoaib is currently playing for Surrey a bid to regain his match fitness. The PCB’s ban limited him to only one first-class match this year.

Leicester City are interested in a move for West Bromwich Albion playmaker Matheus Pereira, as reported by the Mirror.

The Lowdown: West Bromwich Albion prepare for Sky Bet Championship life

Looking towards the new term, West Brom manager Valerien Ismael will be desperate to win promotion at the first attempt following his predecessor’s relegation from the top-flight.

Acquiring some top talent immediately will be crucial to prospective success, however recuperating large fees for assets like Pereira will also be a matter of fundamental importance for the 45-year-old.

Tapping into the latter philosophy, the Baggies now look set to field attention from the Premier League for their star man.

The Latest: Pereira courting attention from Leicester City; multiple other sides keen

Not being utilised by West Brom in their pre-season programme, the Brazilian is said to be prompting the Foxes to consider a move for his services [Mirror].

Pereira is under contract until 2024 with the Midlands outfit, though looks set to leave this summer for pastures new.

Al Hilal, Liverpool and West Ham United are all believed to be monitoring his situation keenly.

Reports last week suggested the Baggies expect around £25m to part ways with the 25 year-old this summer.

The Latest: Bidding war for Pereira?

Looking unlikely to keep Pereira at the Hawthorns beyond this window, a potential bidding war for his signature would be a big boost for Ismael and co.

In 2020/21, the playmaker enjoyed a superb campaign, registering 18 goal contributions in 34 fixtures; 12 goals and six assists [Transfermarkt].

Furthermore, Pereira caught attention with his ability to create dangerous situations, managing to record 1.8 key passes per game on average across the campaign, which was the most in the West Brom squad [WhoScored].

Once labelled as a ‘delight to watch’ by Match of the Day pundit Micah Richards, the Baggies only focus when it comes to departures at the moment should be to squeeze every penny possible out of the interest in Pereira [Birmingham Mail].

If they can secure upwards of that reported £25m price tag, that could go a long way towards building a squad capable of immediate promotion back to the big time.

In other news, West Bromwich Albion could re-sign a La Liga ace.

Wolves started their transfer window impressively with the addition of Trincao but their inability to clear players from the wage bill is now hampering them in the markets.

The idea of Adama Traore and Ruben Neves taking their leave has been a concern for a few months now but they’re yet to find new clubs for their Iberian duo.

What’s the word?

One of the primary issues for Bruno Lage heading into the new season should be the fitness of Raul Jimenez.

The Mexican has scored in pre-season, but only time will tell whether he can discover his best form after recovering from a fractured skull.

As such, the Old Gold are in the market for a new striker. Barcelona’s Martin Braithwaite has been on their radar but they’re now interested in another long-term target once again.

According to the Mirror, Wolves want to sign Liverpool forward Divock Origi before the window closes. He was a player they considered back in the winter.

Origi is currently valued at just £10.8m via Transfermarkt.

Swerve a move

Wolves may require extra bodies in the final third in order to lend a hand to Jimenez but they’d be taking a huge gamble on Origi, one that would bring back vibes of Willian Jose.

The big Brazilian signed for the Molineux outfit on loan back in January as cover for their Mexican sensation.

However, he had a turgid time in the Midlands, scoring just once in the Old Gold and failing to link up play to any sufficient level.

They had an £18m option to buy the Real Sociedad attacker but rightfully rejected the chance to do so.

Yet, by landing Origi in the coming weeks, they may just have a player of a similar ilk.

Described as a “monster” by Vincent Kompany, the Belgian super sub has scored some important goals down the years for Liverpool, namely against Barcelona in Europe and then in the Champions League final against Spurs.

That being said, his ability to find goals on a regular basis has to be questioned. Like Jose, his record certainly isn’t the best, but you have to consider his lack of match action.

The 26-year-old has beaten the goalkeeper on 35 occasions in 157 outings for Liverpool and only started two league games in the whole of the 2020/21 campaign.

He might know the English game, but there are better options out there in a window where Wolves are strapped for cash.

Like Jose, this would be a huge risk from Lage and Fosun. They must swerve a deal this summer.

AND in other news, Bruno Lage can seal Wolves masterclass by signing “top-level” £28.8m-rated monster…

Ebony Rainford-Brent hopes England can replicate last season’s form in Australia when they meet the defending champions in the Women’s World Cup

Cricinfo staff02-Oct-2008
A career-threatening back injury nearly ended Ebony Rainford-Brent’s career after her international debut at the age of 17 © Getty Images
Ebony Rainford-Brent, the England allrounder, hopes the team can replicate last season’s form when they meet Australia, the defending champions, in the Women’s World Cup during March 2009.The two teams are not in the same group, but are favourites to go through to the Super Six stage where they would go head-to-head. The top two teams from the Super Sixes make it to the final.”This is absolutely amazing. It is an incredible opportunity for both me and the rest of the squad, Rainford-Brent told the ECB website. “Going to Australia twice within 12 months is pretty cool, but to get to play cricket on both occasions is fantastic.On their tour of Australia in 2007-08, England drew the ODI series 2-2 and won the one-off Test to retain the Ashes. Led by Charlotte Edwards, the ICC Women’s Player of the Year 2008, England head into the tournament – to be held at six venues across New South Wales – unbeaten in 16 ODIs, with 12 wins and four abandoned games.While England gained experience of Australian conditions during their tour last year, it was even more so for Rainford-Brent, who played club cricket for Port Adelaide as well. “Out of the other group, Australia and New Zealand are always the ones to beat,” she said. “Although we’ve beaten them recently, they’ll be in the heart of their season and we won’t be, so we’ll need to be on our game if we make it to the Super Sixes. It’ll be like a Russian team making the final stages of the [UEFA] Champions League!”I’ve never played against Sri Lanka or Pakistan before so it’s always a nice challenge to play a new team,” she added. “We’ve just played India [they won 4-0 in the ODI series] and although they can always be dangerous on their day, we are confident we can repeat the result we achieved this season.”England have made just one change to the squad that was successful during the home summer, with untried wicketkeeper Lauren Griffiths named as a back-up to Sarah Taylor.They are in Group B alongside India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and begin their campaign against Sri Lanka on February 7.

Queensland finished the first day in Perth on a high after their batting line-up again struggled to post a decent total

Cricinfo staff31-Oct-2008
Scorecard
Steve Magoffin picked up 3 for 23 © Getty Images
Queensland finished the first day in Perth on a high after their batting line-up again struggled to post a decent total. On a day when 13 wickets fell, Western Australia finished at 3 for 33 following a pair of late strikes to Ryan Harris, which left Luke Pomersbach yet to score as the only not-out batsman.Harris ended the day with the important removal of the opener Liam Davis (32), who had incredibly scored all the Warriors’ runs apart from a solitary leg-bye. He also picked up the nightwatchman Steve Magoffin following the departure of the debutant Wes Robinson, who was bowled by Ashley Noffke for a duck.It evened up a contest that had seemed to belong to Western Australia as they sent the Bulls in and knocked them over for 208. Magoffin made the perfect start and had Queensland at 2 for 3 having had both openers, Ryan Broad and Greg Moller, caught in the cordon.A steadying partnership from Andrew Symonds and Clinton Perren followed, although Symonds had a couple of lives in his 43. Perren, who was making his first Sheffield Shield appearance for the summer, top scored with 58 before handing Robinson the ideal beginning to his first-class debut.Robinson had Perren caught and two balls later added the Queensland captain Chris Simpson, who failed to score. The Warriors’ other debutant, the fast bowler Paul Davis, also enjoyed his first four-day outing with 3 for 48 having been called in from outside the 12-man squad when Arron Crawford hurt his groin in the warm-up.Western Australia were also without Ben Edmondson for part of their time in the field after he also suffered a groin problem, although he is a chance to bowl in the second innings. The injuries left the Warriors so undermanned that their assistant coach Trevor Penney had to take the field as a substitute.

Liverpool have reportedly been keeping track of Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes as manager Jurgen Klopp looks to bolster his attacking options.

What’s the story?

According to Goal’s Liverpool reporter Neil Jones, the Reds’ recruitment team have been watching the 23-year-old’s progress over the last couple of campaigns ahead of a possible move for the speedster.

The Anfield outfit are believed to be in the market for a new forward this summer following underwhelming campaigns for Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino last time out.

Liverpool fans will be delighted

Barnes enjoyed a stellar 2020/21 season, bagging 13 goals and providing a further four assists in 38 appearances for Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes.

He was tipped to make Gareth Southgate’s squad for Euro 2020 given his outstanding displays for the Midlands outfit. However, a serious knee injury picked up in March ruled the forward out for the rest of the campaign.

The electric England international made a winning return to first-team action over the weekend, though, featuring from the off as Leicester claimed just their second Community Shield with a victory at Wembley Stadium.

And now Barnes could be rewarded for last season’s fine form with a move to the 19-time English champions.

With Mane and Firmino beginning to fall below their usual exceptional standards and the likes of Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri heavily linked with an Anfield exit, Barnes could provide the spark to Liverpool’s forward line that it so desperately needs.

He’s made incredible progress since joined West Bromwich Albion on loan back in 2018, where he contributed to 16 goals in 26 Championship outings for the Baggies, and his underlying numbers last term are evidence of that.

As per WhoScored, Barnes recorded 2.2 shots per league game in 2020/21, made one key pass and completed 1.6 dribbles, placing him in the top five compared to his teammates for all metrics.

Therefore, Liverpool fans will surely be delighted to learn the club’s recruitment team are closely monitoring his progress. Barnes is an exciting, young, English prospect with bags of potential and he should only get better under Klopp’s tutelage.

Whether the Reds follow up their reported interest with a formal offer remains to be seen, but his arrival on Merseyside would certainly be welcomed by the supporters. The fact that he’s on Liverpool’s radar should be music to the ears of Reds’ fans.

And, in other news…Report reveals exciting transfer update that’ll have Liverpool fans buzzing 

West Ham United manager David Moyes has said that he “will be adding a defender” to his squad before the end of the transfer window, and there may be “other players” arriving at the London Stadium in the next fortnight too.

Moyes was speaking after his team opened the new season with a 4-2 win away to Newcastle United. The Irons trailed 2-1 at the interval but second half goals from Said Benrahma, Tomas Soucek and Michail Antonio ensured that they took the three points back to the capital.

A quiet transfer window for West Ham so far

West Ham have only made one new signing so far this summer, recruiting goalkeeper Alphonse Areola from Paris Saint-Germain to provide cover and competition for Lukasz Fabianski. That deal involved a loan fee of £1.8m.

Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic has been named as a potential defensive target, with Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport reporting on Saturday (via Sport Witness) that he will either join West Ham or London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Fan feed West Ham Transfers relayed Moyes’ comments, and here’s how supporters reacted.

West Ham fans flock to Moyes’ transfer comments

“Some good news at last”

Credit: @DKouzas

“Trust in the Moyesiah”

Credit: @iantjrandall

“Please Milenkovic”

Credit: @_moseme

“Defender must be close then”

Credit: @xDellisOfficial

“I love this team so much it’s unbelievable”

Credit: @rayo4591

“can only pray”

Credit: @GeorgeeWHU

In other news, EXWHUEmployee issued this exciting update on one transfer target.

A brutal 38-ball 83 from Imran Nazir took Lahore Badshahs to the most emphatic of victories over Mumbai Champs in Ahmedabad. Mumbai only managed 140 for 5, a target which Lahore knocked off in just 13.2 overs

Cricinfo staff23-Oct-2008
Scorecard

Imran Nazir’s unbeaten 38-ball 83 ensured a comfortable win for Lahore Badshahs against Mumbai Champs © Getty Images
A brutal 38-ball 83 from Imran Nazir took Lahore Badshahs to the most emphatic of victories over Mumbai Champs in Ahmedabad. Mumbai only managed 140 for 5, a target which Lahore knocked off in just 13.2 overs.Nazir began the chase with a delicious upper-cut over backward point in the first over, but it was in the second that he went berserk, off Michael Kasprowicz. Two fuller deliveries were scorched down the ground, while he flicked the third through square-leg.Kasprowicz shortened his length for the rest of the over but couldn’t wriggle out of the punishment. Two pull shots sent the ball towards a packed crowd in the stands at deep midwicket and a massive straight hit cannoned into the sightscreen.Johan van der Wath wasn’t spared, either, as Imran Farhat also took the attack. And although Farhat soon fell, Nazir charged along merrily regardless. With Inzamam-ul-Haq in a similar mood, the game was done and dusted in the 14th over. Nazir finished on a breathless 83 from just 38 balls.The chase was in complete contrast to the way Mumbai Champs went about their business earlier in the evening. Mumbai, winless in the tournament, started off cautiously after being put into bat, before Dhiraj Jadhav and Taufeeq Umar boosted momentum with four boundaries in the sixth over off Mohammad Sami.After Umar flayed one through covers, Jadhav repeated the dose before flicking two through square leg. At the end of seven overs the score read a respectable 48 but Saqlain Mushtaq and Shahid Nazir applied the squeeze admirably.The next four overs only went for 23 runs. Shahid hit a fuller length and mixed his pace and Saqlain was up to his usual tricks. The doosras, the offbreaks, the quicker ones and even his legspin; you name it, it was there. Lahore’s performance was clinical and destructive; Mumbai, though, couldn’t escape yet another humiliation.The ICL action shifts to Gurgaon for the next round of league matches.