All posts by h716a5.icu

MS Dhoni, the captain of the Indian team which is defending the World Twenty20 title, has admitted that his players were tired after the IPL, but also said the hectic schedule was something his team was used to

Cricinfo staff29-May-2009Zaheer not fully fit yet – DhoniMS Dhoni has said that India’s pace spearhead Zaheer Khan hasn’t yet recovered from the shoulder injury he picked up during the IPL earlier in the month. “Zaheer is not 100% fit now, but I am hopeful he will be available for our first match,” Dhoni said before the team’s departure to England. India open their campaign on June 6, against Bangladesh in Trent Bridge, and Zaheer has a couple of chances to test his fitness before that, in the warm-up games – against New Zealand on June 1 and Pakistan on June 3.MS Dhoni, the captain of the Indian team which is defending the World Twenty20 title, has admitted that his players were tired after the IPL, but also said the hectic schedule was something his team was used to.”When you play so many matches you do get tired, after all it’s a human body. There was no time to rest for the players. But fatigue is a part of Indian cricket. Till now Indian players have done well with it.”Sachin Tendulkar, Gary Kirsten and Dilip Vengsarkar, the former chairman of selectors, have all spoken out against the packed schedule, saying the players could suffer injuries and be mentally fatigued. The 37-day IPL ended on May 24, and there’s only a 11-day gap before the start of the World Twenty20, raising concerns about players not getting sufficient time to rest.However, Dhoni also said the IPL had helped prepare for the tournament in England. “It [IPL] helped us a lot in terms of exposure and skills. So it was more beneficial for us.”Looking ahead to the tournament, Dhoni said the presence of so many part-time bowlers in the Indian squad was a huge advantage. “We have Rohit Sharma and Yuvraj Singh who have taken hat-tricks in the IPL. We also have Suresh Raina. Yusuf Pathan is there too,” Dhoni said on the eve of the team’s departure to England.”We have someone like Ravindra Jadeja with limited international experience but with high talent. He has played against some top fast bowlers and spinners in the IPL and has learned to handle pressure.”Dhoni also said the poor form of his openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag did not worry him. Gambhir scored 286 runs from 15 games and Sehwag 198 from 11 in the IPL. “Both the openers are very talented. As regards opening bowling combination we have not yet decided who will do it. You have seen spinners too opening the bowling in the IPL. Teams have to take gambles.”India will play two warm-up games – against New Zealand on June 1 and Pakistan on June 3 – before their opening game of the World Twenty20 against Bangladesh on June 6. The proceeds from their practice game against Pakistan will go towards the aid of those who were injured or lost their lives when the Sri Lankan team bus was attacked by militants in Lahore in March.

Events in the boardroom at Celtic are unclear; especially when you have a whole host of cooks overseeing the broth at Parkhead.

Dermot Desmond is the Hoops’ chief and ultimately has the final say on important matters regarding the Hoops.

His son, Ross, is now playing a more prominent role in proceedings too but just months after finding a new manager, Celtic will also need to find themselves a new chief executive officer for the second time in a year.

Peter Lawwell retired from the role at the end of last season and was replaced by Dominic McKay.

The former Scottish rugby chief had a ten-year plan to modernise Celtic and played a major hand in Ange Postecoglou’s appointment as manager.

However, he decided to step down last Friday, citing ‘personal reasons’ for his departure.

It has since been made apparent that he may have jumped before he was pushed after disagreements with Desmond over the future of the football club.

McKay has been replaced by Michael Nicholson on a temporary basis but it remains to be seen who becomes the permanent CEO in the next few months.

According to the Daily Record, one suitor for Celtic could be Susan Whelan. The 58-year-old is currently the CEO at Premier League club Leicester City where she has done a quite magnificent job.

Desmond has used his Irish connections to get people into Parkhead before and he could look to use them again here.

That being said, it will be difficult to lure Whelan away from such an attractive club that’s growing all the time.

She currently works with former Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers, someone who holds her in particularly high esteem. He once said: “From Top to Susan, in her role in terms of balancing everything between the financial side and the running of the actual business, to Jon on the football element, it’s been excellent.”

Having played a key role in finding Richard Scudamore’s replacement at the top of the Premier League hierarchy, she is a well-liked character throughout English football.

She had strong connections with Ed Woodward at Manchester United and as of 2019 she was one of the top 25 businesswomen in Ireland.

One Premier League CEO once told The Athletic: “From a business point of view, Susan is known as a good operator and a respected and effective contributor to Premier League shareholder meetings and the various debates we have.”

Pivotally, she also has a reputation for being honest and straightforward when it comes to transfer dealings.

This was one of the most difficult things for Celtic during the course of the summer.

Reporter Kieran Devlin wrote the following this week: “Sources have spoken of receiving mixed, contradictory messages from different club figures. One described Celtic as being “painfully slow” in some discussions and several mentioned not receiving replies to messages for days or sometimes weeks. When replies did come, they would sometimes be from a different club figure.”

Therefore, Whelan could significantly improve this aspect of the club if she replaces McKay at Parkhead.

She is fantastic at her job and all of her work so far has led to a remarkable Premier League title triumph for Leicester, a spell in the Champions League and also an FA Cup win last summer.

Whelan is a quiet voice within football but once her opinion is heard, people stand up and take notice. Celtic must take notice now.

AND in other news, Postecoglou must unleash Celtic’s “tricky” rarely-seen 19 y/o after big Hoops blow…

Northamptonshire grimly batted out a draw on the final day against Kent although the close stages were livened up by Robert Key’s maiden first-class wicket

Mark Pennell at Canterbury24-Apr-2009
ScorecardI’m an allrounder now: Robert Key celebrates his first first-class wicket after bowling David Willey•Getty ImagesIt was questionable which was the bigger, more attractive, draw at the St Lawrence ground on Friday as Kent’s first ever game in the LV Championship second tier ended in a tedious stalemate.While the four-day game died a lingering death, so former Prime Minister and Surrey supporter John Major was giving a 40-minute lunchtime speech to 300 members of the Hoppers’ Tie Club annual lunch held in the Colin Cowdrey stand overlooking Kent’s headquarters.Fair to say tickets for both events were not in huge demand but at least Mr Major raised a few laughs and a ripple of applause, which was marginally more than more than could be said for the fare on show out in the middle where Northamptonshire grimly, and single-mindedly batted their way to a draw.Kent were hindered going into this final day when Azhar Mahmood pulled up in the warm-ups with a stomach strain and played no further part, heaping the onus onto an already weakened attack. On-loan Steffan Jones and Martin Saggers did their best, but a sublime batting pitch coupled with Northamptonshire’s determination not to give it away, meant that run-scoring, let alone entertainment, was few and far between.After 40 minutes’ Saggers finally dislodged night watchman David Lucas (13) with an away-swinger that he nibbled to the keeper then, after posting a 212-ball century with 11 fours, Stephen Peters went on the stroke of lunch after clipping a simple catch to short mid-wicket off James Tredwell.Incredibly, the second session proved even more tedious as the visitors lost two more wickets in adding just 64 runs in two hours. Riki Wessels nicked to slip to give Tredwell a third wicket then Saggers returned with the new ball to rearrange the stumps of his former Kent team-mate Andrew Hall for only three. As he did in his six-hour first innings knock, Nicky Boje dug in thereafter to frustrate the hosts for another 250 minutes. After surviving a big appeal for a bat-pad catch when on one, the South African left-hander went on to score 50 in three hours with only five boundaries.Kent captain Robert Key’s response was to bring himself on for a rare stint of leg-break bowling. With only career 23 overs behind him, Key allowed himself an unprecedented nine-over stint from the Nackington Road End during which he picked up his maiden first-class wicket when David Willey chopped on for 47.With Boje still unbeaten on 70, the teams shook hands on a draw at 4.50 pm by which time Mr Major and his security entourage had sped off toward London. Wisely, they had not bother to stay and watch the cricket.

Concerns over the state of the pitch at Harare’s CFX Academy ground have led to Zimbabwe Cricket moving the remaining Faithwear Cup matches scheduled to be played there

Cricinfo staff03-Mar-2009Concerns over the state of the pitch at Harare’s CFX Academy ground have led to Zimbabwe Cricket moving the remaining Faithwear Cup matches scheduled to be played there.On Sunday, the game between Northerns and Easterns was abandoned after captains Elton Chigumbura and Hamilton Masakadza agreed the pitch was not good enough to play on. However, reports suggest that the umpires ruled that the game should go ahead after rain had delayed the start and were overruled by the captains.It is now down to ZC’s disciplinary committee to decide what punishment to hand down to the captains and their teams.Tuesday’s clash between Easterns and Westerns has been switched to the Harare Sports Club.

A round-up of the third day of the 13th round matches of the Regional Four Day Competition

Cricinfo staff06-Apr-2009A 128-run for the ninth wicket between wicketkeeper Chadwick Walton and Kevin McClean, and a good bowling display, put Combined Campuses and Colleges firmly on top against Barbados in Bridgetown. Barbados were struggling at 167 for 7 at stumps on the third day after spinners Ryan Austin, Anderson Sealy and Kavesh Kantasingh took five wickets between them. The home team are just 25 ahead with three wickets in hand – only Dwayne Smith offered some resistance with a fighting 87 – and with a day left, CCC, who have won twice this season, are the favourites. Barbados had fought well on the third day, capturing eight wickets and limiting CCC’s overnight lead to 36 but they were denied by Walton (87) and Mclean (50 not out). Ryan Hinds took 6 for 89 for Barbados but his efforts were undone by a hapless batting performance.Jamaica, who have already won the competition, held the edge against Guyana in a closely contested match in Montego Bay, extending their lead to 296 at stumps with three wickets remaining. Their bowlers did an admirable job in the morning session to run through the Guyana tail, taking four wickets for 40 to bowl them out for 308 and secure a lead of 81. Medium-pacer David Bernard (4-85) and legspinner Gavin Wallace (3 for 39) bagged two wickets each before lunch to hand their team the advantage. However, Jamaica faltered in their second innings after a solid start, as spinners Davendra Bishoo and Veerasammy Permaul shared five wickets to put them under pressure. At one stage, Jamaica slumped from 95 for one to 159 for six, but Brendan Nash (40 not out) and Daren Powell (27) eased the nerves by adding 48.Trinidad and Tobago retained control of their contest against Leeward Islands in Anguilla, despite a career-best 5 for 88 by fast bowler Bront Defreitas. The brothers Ganga were the stars as first Daren shephered the innings with an unbeaten 96 and then Sherwin bagged two wickets at the death to leave Leewards struggling at 142 for 4, only 12 runs ahead. Defreitas had helped Leewards claw back into the match after T&T were sitting pretty at 292 for 3 overnight. But Daren Ganga stayed firm and held one end together to help his team secure a sizeable 130-run lead. Leeward responded well initially; Keiran Powell (40) and Runako Morton (72) made useful contributions. But a double-burst from Sherwin Ganga in a space of five runs meant T&T remained the favourites for a win going into the fourth day.

Muttiah Muralitharan is keeping everybody waiting. He began the series against India needing three wickets to overtake Wasim Akram and become the highest wicket-taker in ODIs

Cricinfo staff02-Feb-2009
Muttiah Muralitharan is poised to become the highest wicket-taker in ODIs © AFP
Muttiah Muralitharan is keeping everybody waiting. He began the series against India needing three wickets to overtake Wasim Akram and become the highest wicket-taker in ODIs. Two matches later, he’s still two wickets away, having taken only 1 for 84 in 20 overs in the first two ODIs.Murali, however, is not thinking about breaking the record. “Honestly I am not thinking of taking those two wickets much,” he told the . “The important thing is towin this game. I am going to keep playing and the record will come someday. I am pretty happy with my form. Maybe they [the Indian batsmen] are not taking too many risks against me.”Sri Lanka’s batsmen have failed to fire collectively in the series. Sanath Jayasuriya scored 107 in the first game, and Thilina Kandamby made a valiant unbeaten 93 in the second, but both did not get much support from the others. “We are not playing well,” Murali said. “Our batting has been a huge concern for us.”But having said that these guys are quality players and they have proved themselves over the years. We had a few players retiring and those slots have been filled by some new ones and we have shifted some places. So these things can happen.”Sri Lanka need to win the remaining three matches, after conceding a 2-0 lead to India, to take the series and Murali urged his team-mates to play with their natural flair. “The main thing is that we need to think that this is just another game,” he said. “You shouldn’t be putting any undue pressure. When you start thinking of what’s at stake you tend to get into a negative mindset. What’s important is to be positive and play our natural game.”Sri Lanka are fighting to avoid a third consecutive ODI-series defeat at home, after going down 3-2 to both India and England. Murali, however, was confident of a turnaround. “We didn’t lose badly. The score line says we lost 3-2, both against England and India. We will improve and get back to our winning ways. Don’t forget that India is one of the best sides in the world right now in all three forms of the game.”

Lasith Malinga is back and ready for Tuesday’s Twenty20 game, the first big step on his rehabilitation

Sriram Veera09-Feb-2009
Lasith Malinga has worked hard towards his return to the side, and is glad to be back doing what he knows best © Cricinfo Ltd.
Lasith Malinga is back and ready for Tuesday’s Twenty20 game, the first big step on his return from injury. The hair is as wild and woolly as ever, the highlights are intact – as is the confidence, despite a year’s lay-off due to a dodgy knee.The journey out of anonymity, though, has been a roller-coaster ride – and with a few mystical moments. He first noticed the pain in his right knee on February 22 during a CB Series game in Australia. It was diagnosed as a swollen bone but it didn’t prove so simple. He was out of action for nine months.No running, no gym. For nine months, the man known for his sprint in and a furious whirlwind of rotating arms, couldn’t run or bowl or train. He couldn’t even climb stairs – the shooting pain was unbearable.Malinga underwent treatment in Australia but while the pain diminished, recovery wasn’t complete. It was then that Sri Lanka’s president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, intervened. And this is where the story takes a mystical turn.”The president introduced me to Dr Eliyantha White. He works with supernatural powers and herbs,” Malinga said. “I don’t know what he does and how he does it but it works. I am very grateful to him and the president.” The treatment lasted five days and the pain disappeared. Malinga was fit to start his training. Dr White has since successfully treated Sanath Jayasuriya for a long-standing back problem.Malinga trained hard over the last three months and resumed bowling, playing five limited-over games for his club, NCC, when he got the opportunity to play in the Twenty20 game against India.Has he lost pace? “Not sure,” he said. “We will see tomorrow.” He adds quickly that there has been no change in his bowling action.He has sorely missed playing cricket and is just glad to be back and bowling. He knows, though, that tough work lies ahead of him. Since he has just started to bowl and hasn’t played in any longer version of the game, Malinga has not been selected to play in the Provincial tournament that starts next month. “When I feel confident that I can bowl for long, Iwill start playing in the longer format,” he said.Malinga is eyeing the next domestic season, which starts in October this year. “First there is the IPL, of course,” he said. “Then I will continue my training and will start playing in three-day games later this year.”If things go well, the world will see him in action in Test cricket next year.

Matt Woosnam, who covers Crystal Palace for The Athletic, reckons that the south London outfit should have re-signed Gary Cahill.

He joined from Chelsea following his release two years ago, but his contract at Selhurst Park ran out earlier this summer and he is once again a free agent.

The 35-year-old, who often wore the armband in Luka Milivojevic’s absence, made 48 outings during his two seasons at the club, with his experience and quality helping Palace stay in the Premier League under Roy Hodgson.

Following several key experienced departures, 6 ft 4 colossus Cahill was offered fresh terms by the Eagles, although they were unable to agree a new deal and his exit was confirmed by himself on Twitter earlier this month.

New manager Patrick Vieira has since added two centre-backs in Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen to his squad, but Woosnam feels Palace might rue the loss of Cahill.

He told The Transfer Tavern:

“The likes of Gary Cahill would offer a lot to Palace.

“His experience has been vital. I remember his debut at Old Trafford, and he was coaching 29-year-old Patrick van Aanholt through the game. You think that’s crazy when he has so much experience, so I would have kept him.”

Former Football League star David Norris insists that Todd Cantwell would cost Aston Villa crazy money in this transfer window.

Villa have been linked with a move to sign the Norwich winger after selling Jack Grealish to Manchester City for £100m.

They had embarked on an aggressive recruitment strategy prior to his exit, signing Danny Ings from Southampton, Leon Bailey from Bayer Leverkusen, Ashley Young on a free transfer, and Axel Tuanzebe on loan from Manchester United.

In addition to those four, Villa have already raided Norwich to sign Emiliano Buendia for a fee of just over £34.5m.

However, reports claim that the club could still go back to Carrow Road to bring Cantwell into the club too.

He enjoyed a fantastic season last term, scoring six goals and laying on seven assists in the Championship, and Norris has cited the example of Ben White, who moved to Arsenal for a fee of £50m, as evidence for an inflated transfer market. Cantwell is valued at £19.8m by Transfermarkt.

Speaking to Football FanCast, he said: “Yeah I think you’ll see that quite a bit, the money’s gone crazy.

“The Brighton centre-half going for big dough, and I think with younger players, and what’s happened traditionally in the past especially if their British, the price seems to be even higher.”

Shane Watson is unique for an Australian cricketer: he doesn’t drink or lift weights. Since injuring his hamstring for the umpteenth time during the World Twenty20 last year he has restructured his training and cut out alcohol in an effort to get the most

Ali Cook24-Oct-2008
Shane Watson is pleased to finally be injury-free © Getty Images
Shane Watson is unique for an Australian cricketer: he doesn’t drink or lift weights. Since injuring his hamstring for the umpteenth time during the World Twenty20 last year he has restructured his training and cut out alcohol in an effort to get the most out of his body.So far it is working and he has contributed with bat and ball in the opening two Tests, which took his career tally to five games. “I’m off drinking while I’m playing and training to give myself every chance I possibly can to be right throughout this big workload,” Watson said. “It’s important to look after the body.”Only at the end of the Indian Premier League, when his Rajasthan Royals team won the competition, did Watson break his ban and have a couple of glasses of champagne. “I’ve saved money and a few headaches as well,” he said, smiling. He still joins the celebrations but his new tipple is diet Pepsi or soda water.Until the change in regime he was hurt a couple of times a season, but with the new approach he was able to string enough state and one-day international games together to prove to Australia’s national selectors he was the man to replace Andrew Symonds. He picked up 3 for 45 and scored 41 in the first Test in Bangalore and added a fine 78 in the first innings in Mohali.”To me it’s not a sacrifice,” he said. “The things I’ve been able to achieve over the past six months are not things I thought I could do 13 months ago.”He has been working with Brisbane health expert Victor Popov and now does pilates, running, cycling and swimming instead of lifting weights. His old programme had him training like a rugby league player.”I haven’t touched a weight for 13 months,” he said. “The things I’ve been doing are pilates, hamstring strength, calf strength, which is just body weight stuff. I don’t know the inside of a gym. Bowling is the thing I need to do, running and bowling. I feel my body shape is changing, it’s a lot lighter, but I feel I haven’t lost strength.”The old aches don’t return so frequently, and if he notices any changes he can adjust quickly to limit the pain. “My inner core strength wasn’t great and my pelvis was moving around quite a bit,” he said. “When it’s out of line, my hamstring gets tighter and so do my glutes.”Also, because of the stress fractures early in my career, I’ve had nerve issues through my back into hamstrings and lower legs because of the healing I’ve had since I was a young kid. I have to make sure my nerves are not irritated, which is another piece of the puzzle.”Other things are maintenance every day, making sure I’m warm, and swimming. It’s quite a big puzzle to make sure everything is in alignment, but I love doing it. I’ve learned so much about my body. It’s also exciting to know where I’m at. If something is slightly out I understand how to get it fixed or under control.”