Ian Botham and Andrew Flintoff both made unexpected appearances during a testimonial match for Liam Botham at The Rose Bowl. While neither man actually played, both took turns to umpire.Botham senior, who retired in 1993, vowed at the time never to take part in another game. “If I can’t reappear on a cricket field on behalf of my own flesh and blood, when could I ever make a comeback?” he grinned after a ten-over stint dressed in a fetching pink shirt. “But I won’t be doing that again in a hurry. Umpiring is far too much like hard work for grandfathers like me.”Liam Botham played briefly for Hampshire before turning his back on cricket and becoming a successful professional rugby player. But his career was cut short by a serious neck injury.Flintoff had committed to play, but his ankle injury prevented him from doing anything more strenuous than umpiring. He made his mark immediately, calling Andy Caddick for a no-ball.
The Hampshire Legends XI successfully chased a total of 205 set by Liam Botham’s Legends, with Heath Streak hitting a six to win the match in the final over.
Rahul Dravid is enjoying the new season in his new role as captain. Even though India lost the opening game of the tri-series yesterday narrowly to Sri Lanka, Dravid has not been losing sleep.Against Sri Lanka he showed a fluent touch in his 54 even if it was in a losing cause. On Sunday evening he continued in the same vein to finish unbeaten on match-winning 52 that gained him the Man-of-the-Match honours. “Yes, I am enjoying the role and the feeling of comfort comes from the fact that the each one of us is playing his role well.”The tight line and length and the economic spells of his bowlers has not been lost on Dravid. He was happy that the bowlers have come out well at the beginning of the new season. “The fast bowlers have really done well here and struck to the correct line and length.”Both he and the Indian coach Greg Chappell had talked about how they were using this series as a stepping stone to bigger things in the future. And identifying and grooming young talent was high on the priority list. “This tournament gave us the opportunity to test the youngsters. And, so far, I have been impressed. Suresh Raina did well today as did Venu [Venugopal Rao] yesterday.” The Indian captain feels flexibility is the another key factor when it comes to the team selection. “We would like to give more responsibilities to the youngsters by giving them chances frequently. But that may not be possible always.”Even if India have changed its opening combination in the first two matches – in the first game Virender Sehwag opened with Mahendra Singh Dhoni and today it was Mohammad Kaif who raised his hand to open with Sehwag – and with Sourav Ganguly joining the squad on Monday, Dravid feels he is spoilt for choice. “Sourav has seen a lot of success at that position and everyone knows his record, so that is a very big option for us.” He was also unperturbed with Anil Kumble not having played a game as yet. “Harbhajan has been doing well and though it was very difficult to bench someone like Anil, I am sure he is top bowler and would understand.”His West Indian counterpart Shivnarine Chanderpaul thought that it could have been a different game had the fielding been more circumspect. “If we had held our catches it could’ve been a different game.”
West Indies scraped their way to an unconvincing one-wicket win in the opening one-dayer against Bangladesh in St Vincent. After Bangladesh laboured their way to 144 for 8 from 50 overs, thanks mainly to a reviving ninth-wicket stand of 62 between Khaled Mashud and Mohammad Rafique, West Indies made a meal of knocking off the runs, and only just made it.Play was delayed for 15 minutes after some overnight rain, but once the captains tossed, Ramnaresh Sarwan had no hesitation in putting Bangladesh in, and that paved the way for Tino Best to make a spectacular start to his one-day international career. Best took consecutive wickets with the third and fourth balls of the match, but missed out on the hat-trick.The two men to go were Shahriar Hossain, caught by Chris Gayle at first slip, and Habibul Bashar, the captain, who played a horrible swipe across the line to be trapped lbw. Manjural Islam Rana was lbw to Fidel Edwards in the following over, and Bangladesh had staggered to 5 for 3.Rajin Saleh and Mohammad Ashraful then made a recovery of sorts, putting on 40 before Ashraful nicked Edwards to Ridley Jacobs for 17 (43 for 4), then Saleh was caught behind off Ian Bradshaw for 20 (51 for 5). Alok Kapali stuck around for a while until he was caught by Best off Bradshaw (52 for 6), and that temporarily let the floodgates open again.Best returned to bowl, and bounced out Mushfiqur Rahman, who fended a lifter to Sylvester Joseph in the slips (79 for 7). Khaled Mahmud was then beaten by pace, chopping Best onto his stumps for a duck. At that stage, Bangladesh were in all sorts of bother at 82 for 8, but Mashud and Rafique rescued them with a steady partnership to give Bangladesh some respectability, and in the end, what turned out to be almost a winning total.
West Indian hopes that Gayle might produce one of his whirlwind innings to wrap up the game quickly were dashed when he was caught behind off Tapash Baisya for a duck (7 for 1). Joseph, in at No. 3, didn’t last long either, as he was also caught by Mashud, off the bowling of Mahmud, for 7 (46 for 2). Shivnarine Chanderpaul couldn’t impose any authority on the bowling, and after a struggle he was trapped in front by Manjural Islam Rana for 15 (81 for 3).Ricardo Powell was the only top-order batsman to master the bowling, scoring 52 from 64 balls, with six fours. But just as he was looking to accelerate, he was bowled by the impressive Mahmud (83 for 4). Sarwan played positively and eased West Indian nerves with two fours and a six, but Bangladesh refused to lie down, and Sarwan was caught by Rahman off Saleh for 22 (119 for 5).The wickets kept on coming. Dwayne Smith was stumped off Manjural for 2, Ridley Jacobs was run out (again by Manjural), then Dwayne Bravo was also caught short of his crease, all in the space of three overs. West Indies had lurched to 126 for 8, and that simple stroll to victory was threatening to go way off course.West Indies still required 19 for victory, with only two wickets left – and Best was then lbw to Manjural, playing across a straight one. Bangladesh sensed a famous victory, but Bradshaw and Edwards kept their cool. Bradshaw eased the tension with a six over midwicket off Saleh, and he and Edwards scrambled West Indies home with one wicket and 20 balls to spare.
Pakistan conceded 40 extras in Holland’s innings while the highest score by a batsman was 31 by DLS van Bunge. This is the 20th occasion that extras has been the highest scorer in a completed (i.e. all out) ODI innings. Interestingly, this is the second time in consecutive matches against Holland that Pakistan have conceded extras as the highest scorer, having done this in the ICC Champions Trophy last year.Extras as highest scorer
Score Extras Highest For Against Venue Season116 13 13 New Zealand Sri Lanka Moratuwa 1983/84 *163 28 20 Zimbabwe South Africa Canberra 1991/92166 42 42 New Zealand Pakistan Christchurch 1991/92 *98 24 20 Sri Lanka South Africa Colombo-RPS 1993/94166 37 29 Kenya West Indies Pune 1995/96161 25 23 India Pakistan Toronto 1996120 28 24 Australia Pakistan Hobart 1996/97100 19 16 Bangladesh Kenya Nairobi-AK 1997/98115 34 21 Bangladesh India Mumbai 1997/98161 29 29 Pakistan Bangladesh Northampton 1999 *132 25 22 Pakistan Australia Lord’s 1999120 26 25 India West Indies Toronto 1999161 37 32 West Indies Pakistan Toronto 1999100 32 22 India Australia Sydney 1999/00111 24 16 England South Africa Johannesburg 1999/00123 25 24 West Indies Australia Adelaide 2000/0176 20 15 Bangladesh Sri Lanka Colombo-SSC 2002136 33 32 Holland Pakistan Colombo-SSC 2002/03108 22 20 India New Zealand Christchurch 2002/03156 40 31 Holland Pakistan Paarl 2002/03* Extras was joint highest scorer with one or more batsman.
Muttiah Muralitharan earned match figures of ten for 123 as Lancashirecrushed Essex by nine wickets to claim their third consecutive Championshipwin despite a century in each innings from Stuart Law.The overseas players continued to dominate on the last day at Old Traffordwith Murali taking three of the last six wickets as Essex were all out for257, with Law left high and dry for the second time in the match, this timeon 120.Lancashire were left needing only 53 to win, and took 19 points to climb tosecond in the First Division table, leaving Essex in the relegation zone.But that was so tough on Law, who has now scored 305 runs in threeChampionship innings without being dismissed following his unbeaten 116 inthe first innings, and 66 not out in Essex’s last game against Surrey.This was the second time he has scored two centuries in a match for Essex,the other coming against Yorkshire at Chelmsford in 1999, and took his tontally for the county to 29 in less than six seasons.And although both Michael Bevan and Mark Ramprakash scored two centuries ina Championship match last season, Ramprakash also ending on the losing side,Law became the first player to record a pair of unbeaten hundreds in theChampionship since Hugh Morris for Glamorgan against Notts in 1995.But Muralitharan was not to be outdone.The Sri Lankan had Stephen Peters caught at silly point, Ricky Anderson lbwand bowled Barry Hyam with a ball which turned prodigiously from welloutside off stump to complete second innings figures of four for 70 from 39overs.That gave him match figures of 87-36-123-10, the sixth time he has takenten wickets in a match for Lancashire in only 11 appearances, and he did notbowl in one of those.Muralitharan has now taken a total of 94 Championship wickets forLancashire, and six more against Surrey at The Oval next week would take himinto three figures in only 12 matches – probably the fastest century ofwickets in Lancashire history.
Celtic will sign Tottenham Hotspur defender Cameron Carter-Vickers on a ‘simple’ permanent deal, Lilywhites insider John Wenham has claimed.
The Lowdown: Carter-Vickers having a fine season
The 24-year-old made his mark on Sunday after scoring the winning goal in the Old Firm derby as Celtic beat Rangers 2-1 at Ibrox.
The defender has played 27 times in the Premiership this season and has become a crucial component of the Hoops’ backline. The American averages a phenomenal 4.4 clearances per league game, considerably more than any of his teammates (via WhoScored).
Sky Sports have now reported that Celtic can make the defender’s loan a permanent move for a £6m fee, and talks are already underway about the structure of the deal.
Tottenham insider Wenham is backing the deal to go through. Speaking with Football Insider, he claimed:
“Yeah, it’s simple, it just requires Celtic to transfer Tottenham £6million, it’s as simple as that. The player would want it and both clubs want it so there shouldn’t be any problems.
“They could have done it in the summer but the loan has been perfect for Tottenham. We would have let him go for £2million but we have trebled that price based on his performances.
“I couldn’t be happier with how it has gone because he plays pretty much every game up there. Cameron just isn’t at the level to play for Spurs so I am more than happy to move him on and bank that £6million fee.”
The Verdict: Good move for all involved
Having made just five senior appearances for Tottenham, it seems clear that Carter-Vickers is not going to have a long-term career with the north London club. This may come as a disappointment to some fans, as in 2016, Spurs hero Jan Vertonghen hailed the centre-back as an “absolute beast” during the American’s emergence into the first team.
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As a result, it would be in the best interests of Spurs and the 24-year-old to part ways on a permanent basis. This would also suit Celtic, who have enjoyed success with the defender leading their backline.
Therefore, this would no doubt be a good move for all parties involved.
In other news: Italian report delivers update on Antonio Conte’s future at Spurs
Dimitri Mascarenhas, England’s only representative at the IPL, believes the recent spate of players around county cricket saying they have turned down offers to play in India is because counties haven’t given their permission rather than the players not wanting to go.Luke Wright and Ravi Bopara, who have both been in action for England Lions at the New Zealanders, have rejected IPL offers saying they want to concentrate on their international careers. After his first day hundred at The Rose Bowl, Wright said: “It was never really something I questioned at time, but it’s bad timing and all I want to do is play for England.””I read with interest that Luke Wright and Ravi Bopara turned down the IPL this week but, to be honest, it might not be that straightforward,” Mascarenhas said in his column. “I’m speculating here, but I reckon it’s more the fact that, at this late stage, their counties have refused them permission to go. I doubt very much whether the players themselves would turn it down.”I was lucky because my approach came at a much earlier stage and I was able to come to an agreement with Hampshire that kept everyone happy. English players will be here next year, believe me.”Mascarenhas’s stint with the Rajasthan Royals, alongside former Hampshire team-mate Shane Warne, ends on Sunday and he has yet to take the field for his franchise. Each team is only allowed to field four overseas players and Mascarenhas hasn’t been able to force his way past Warne, Sohail Tanvir, Shane Watson and Graeme Smith. However, he hopes to be back for the semis and final if Rajasthan, who are currently top of the table, progress to the knock-out stage.”I would love to come back for the finale at the end of May and negotiations are taking place between the Royals management and Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove,” he said. “I am very hopeful I will be able to help the Royals lift the inaugural trophy.”I haven’t had much of an opportunity to show what I can do here but if I am able to play in the semi-finals and final it would help earn me a bigger contract in next year’s event.”A Hampshire spokesman confirmed the talks were between Mascarenhas, Bransgrove and Paul Terry, the coach, about his possible return to the IPL.
The debt-ridden West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) is expected to move out of the red thanks to profits from this year’s Caribbean World Cup.The additional money will provide a boost to the game’s development, according to Ken Gordon, WICB’s outgoing president. “The profit from the event will eliminate the deficit of the WICB and this augurs well for the future of West Indies cricket.”Gordon said that ticket sales from this year’s tournament 2007 World Cup were the highest yet seen. “We sold more tickets [672,000] than the last two World Cups in South Africa [625,000] and England [476,000] and garnered $32 million in ticket revenue which the ICC [International Cricket Council] has told us is the highest gate ever.”Gordon praised the organisers, though admitted that lessons were learnt and unanticipated events provided an extra challenge. The organisers have been heavily criticised, with many suggesting the tournament was the worst ever. Local fans were displeased with the high ticket prices and touring fans surprised by steep lodging costs across the islands. The tournament also suffered an early setback with Bob Woolmer’s death, the exits of India and Pakistan before the Super Eight stage and a farcical finish to the final.”The fact that we were able to effectively deal with the challenges is a credit to the excellent work and high quality of the management team. The staging of the Cricket World Cup was an experience we all take great pride in.”The directors are very satisfied with the overall results of the tournament. First and foremost is the fact that the region was able to deliver on its host agreement, satisfying all the important deliverables of this major undertaking.”This was always going to be challenging given the number of countries involved, the lack of infrastructure at the time when the region committed to the project and the relatively small size of our economies. But despite all this, the West Indies got the job done.”Gordon also suggested that the World Cup was a boon for sports infrastructure in the region. “Thanks to our governments, we now have 12 world-class cricket stadiums and 22 practice facilities for the further development of West Indies cricket – built on time and to specification.”Over 4300 volunteers and 3000 event security personnel were trained and deployed and we now have a cadre of over 500 West Indians trained and experienced in world games event management.”
When the tsunami struck Sri Lanka and India 18 months ago, the cricket world was quick to respond with charity fundraisers which raised millions. The Sport Relief project, a charity that works in conjunction with the BBC, went a step further. As well as raising hundreds of thousands of pounds, the charity sent an English team of 13 celebrities to India for a manic eight-day tour.The team, including Jack Russell, Phil Tufnell and Rosalie Birch, played three charity matches and had a first-hand emotional experience of poverty: at an orphanage in Cuddalore, with the so-called Railway Children of Villapurum and with some children in Chennai who search rubbish dumps looking for bottles and sacks they can sell for food.But the team also saw how the projects were helping to assist in the rebuilding of lives. Even Russell, not a man moved easily to tears, found himself welling up when he headed to a school which has been built to help children orphaned by the tsunami.”What hit me quite hard was thinking of my children in that position. I had visions of my youngest daughter, who is nine-and-a-half, terrified. Parents died in the water – it was something out of a horror film.”Russell and team took a train through Madras, where they saw children who lived on board. “It was quite dirty and uncomfortable. The young kids cleaned carriages with their shirts – that was sad to see.”But, thanks to the charity, 12 of the children were taken out and given an education, and Russell plans to return there. He may even get them painting. “Maybe they can get rid of any trauma. I don’t know, I’m no psychologist.”
Tufnell found the rubbish dump “a very harrowing experience” and yet it was both zenith and nadir for him. “Watching these people live and survive in a place I can only describe as Hell – then to see them in the afternoon washed up and brushed up. The kids had to be taught how to wear shoes for two weeks before the game because they didn’t know how to run in shoes. That was the high by a mile.”Another match was arranged against some fishermen who were affected by the tsunami. “They were just so happy to be involved,” recalls Birch.Like the other England players in the party who have been used to hotels, coaches and comparative luxury on previous tours of the subcontinent, this was a new experience. “I saw a different side of India, the poverty. But it was really nice to go into the villages and help.”In one of those villages she met a woman named Eluta, whose husband died in the tsunami, leaving her to bring up their three girls. “She’s by herself now, it’s just devastating.” But Sport Relief has helped Eluta to have a new start, which helps her buy fish she then sells on at a small profit for her family. Every day Eluta makes a 10-kilometre journey for her work, but she still finds time to make lunch for other children beside her own. “Even though she is desperate need, it’s inspiring how they all club together.”Birch recognises the important role that cricket can play – not just raising money, but in lifting spirits. After the match against the fishermen she says, “It shows sport can make everything go away for a bit of time.”
Australia’s replacement vice-captain Darren Lehmann will miss the only lead-up game before the first Test against India because of a flight delay. Lehmann, who skipped the beginning of the tour to visit his sick mother in Adelaide, will not arrive until the match against Mumbai has started tomorrow after his departure from Melbourne was stalled by fog.With Adam Gilchrist elevated to the captaincy by Ricky Ponting’s absence, Lehmann, who acted as vice-captain against Sri Lanka during the winter when Ponting hurt his back, will assume the deputy’s role for the first Test in Bangalore on October 6.Ponting broke his left thumb during the Champions Trophy semi-final loss to England and will have another examination in Sydney tomorrow.While the fitness of Ponting is still a concern the squad has been boosted by the arrival of Sydney yoga instructor Kate Turner to help the players strive for peace of body and soul.The ancient technique originated in India and Australia’s support staff hope it will aid pre-game stretching and post-match sleeping.”India is a good place to introduce yoga because it is physically challenging and the players have fewer diversions,” the team’s physiotherapist Errol Alcott told the Courier-Mail. “After a long session some of the guys can feel mentally challenged and have trouble sleeping. If we do a short session at night at the appropriate time it may help the players sleep.”