The first step in Andrew Flintoff’s currently hypothetical plan to play Australian club cricket in preparation for the Ashes has been cleared with Cricket Australia saying there are no rules to prevent the move. David Graveney, the England chairman of selectors, “mischievously” suggested the scenario in a bid to help Flintoff recover from ankle surgery that is expected to rule him out for the next three months.The upshot of the injury is Flintoff would have minimal match practice before England’s defence of the Ashes starting on November 23, and team management is considering more lead-up games as well as the club option. Three state associations – Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia – would not stop Flintoff or any other returning England player from appearing in their grade competitions.”Having Flintoff and those blokes play would certainly give club-land a massive boost,” Graham Dixon, the Queensland Cricket chief executive, said in . “It would toughen up the competition and give grade players exposure against the best in the world.”While many Australian supporters would feel the situation unbelievable despite the English county system assisting their players for decades, David Gilbert warned against critics getting “too precious”. “At the end of the day we are in the entertainment business and people have paid good money to see the best players,” he said.A Cricket Australia spokesman told the situation was still hypothetical. “We haven’t been approached and it’s an area that would be looked at by the state associations,” he told the agency. “There are no statutes that we are aware of that would prevent it from being possible.” Craig White, the former England allrounder, used the Adelaide grade competition to warm-up for the 2002-03 Ashes.
Mark Ealham’s 34 not out gave Nottinghamshire the edge by the end of a manic day at Trent Bridge on which 18 wickets fell. After winning the toss and batting, Surrey were skittled by Greg Smith, who claimed three wickets for four runs, including Rikki Clarke and Jon Batty for ducks. Mark Ramprakash retaliated with a gutsy 42, but Surrey’s total of 136 seemed inadequate, until it came to their turn to bowl. Martin Bicknell bagged his brother Darren for a second-ball duck, and had taken 4 for 42 by the close as Notts limped to 185 for 8.Only 30 overs were possible on the first day of Sussex’s match against Gloucestershire at Hove. Sussex won the toss and batted first, and were indebted to a solid opening knock from Richard Montgomerie, who clung on in difficult conditions as four wickets fell at the other end. Steve Kirby took the notable scalps of Matt Prior and Chris Adams, as Sussex closed on 97 for 4.
Division Two
Darren Gough cemented his side’s advantage with two wickets in his first four overs, as Leicestershire closed on 12 for 2 in reply to Essex’s Ronnie Irani-inspired 297. Irani top-scored with 97, falling three short of his second hundred of the season and the 24th of his career, one of David Masters’ four wickets in the innings. His efforts lifted Essex from an early rut – they had at one stage been 57 for 3 after Andy Flower had become the first of Ryan Cummins’ three wickets. Alistair Cook contributed a solid 62 at the top of the order, while Andre Adams’ hard-hitting 32 from 40 balls lifted them from a dicey 213 for 6. But once Gough had made his mark on the top of Leicestershire’s batting, Essex’s position was looking much healthier.Paul Collingwood chose the ideal moment to stake his claim for an England Test recall, by carting a Somerset attack including Andy Caddick all around the ground at Taunton in front of David Graveney, the chairman of selectors. With speculation surrounding the make-up of England’s second-Test squad, Collingwood finished unbeaten on 181 from 268 balls, with 24 fours and a six, as Durham closed on a hefty 345 for 3. He dominated both of the big stands of which he was a part, 142 for the second wicket with Mike Hussey (63), and 152 for the third with Gordon Muchall (57), to put pressure on the England batting line-up that crumbled so feebly at Lord’s this week. Somerset stuck to their task, with Caddick taking two wickets, but Durham have their sights firmly fixed on first division action.Phil Jaques and Anthony McGrath put Derbyshire’s bowlers to the sword at Headingley, adding 310 for the third wicket to leave Yorkshire on a commanding 419 for 3 at stumps. McGrath made 134 but the star of the show was Jaques, who finished unbeaten on 217, and needs another 27 runs tomorrow to pass his career-best. The pair came together at a wobbly 29 for 2, after Matthew Wood and Joe Sayers had fallen cheaply, but that was as good as Derbyshire’s day got.
Hampshire’s National League match against Worcestershire at The Rose Bowl was abandoned without a ball being bowled, thus denying the home crowd a chance to see Kevin Pietersen in action. Both teams now have 14 points.
The Sir Vivian Richards Foundation was launched in Viv’s native Antigua on Saturday night (April 10), with a gala dinner at the Crystal Palace Ballroom at the Royal Antiguan Hotel.More than 300 guests attended the launch, with the proceeds going to theFoundation. There was also a raffle and a memorabilia auction – with a bat signed by the West Indian and England players from the current series – which helped ensure that the Foundation got off to a healthy start.The Foundation, which is licensed in Antigua & Barbuda, will promote self-awareness among the youth and will help young people, particularly among theunder-privileged, achieve their goals. Sir Vivian said that assistance would not be limited to the youth of Antigua& Barbuda.Sir Vivian, one of cricket’s all-time greats and now the chairman of the West Indies selectors, was on hand at the function, which was billed as "An Evening with Sir Vivian Richards and Other Cricketing Greats". One of the highlights was a question-and-answer session involving Viv and his great friend and former Somerset team-mate Ian Botham.
St.Kilda batsman Michael Klinger has been recalled to the Victorian Bushrangers side to take on the Tasmanian Tigers in tomorrow’s Pura Cup clash in Hobart. Prahran legspinner Bryce McGain makes way for Klinger in the only change to the side that defeated NSW in December.Klinger is second to Prahran’s David Hussey among all runscorers in VictorianPremier Cricket this season at an average of over 80 and according to David Hookes, has earned his recall. "He’s played some very consistent cricket this season and has scored heavily in both the Premier and ACB Cup competitions. The selectors believe he’s ready to transfer that form into first-class ranks".Bushrangers captain Shane Warne was not considered for selection, Hookes sayingthe match did not fit into Warne’s recovery plans. "Shane’s recovery from Friday’s ING Cup match was very encouraging, however both the medical staff and state selectors felt a four day match would place too much workload on Shane’s shoulder at this stage of his rehabilitation".Details for the match are as follows:TASMANIAN TIGERS v VICTORIAN BUSHRANGERS Wednesday, January 15 – Saturday, January 18 Bellerive Oval, HobartBushrangers Darren Berry (c), Jason Arnberger, Matthew Elliott, Ian Harvey, Shane Harwood,Brad Hodge, Mathew Inness, Michael Klinger, Michael Lewis, Jon Moss, GraemeRummans, Cameron WhiteTigers Jamie Cox (c), Sean Clingeleffer, Michael Dighton, Michael DiVenuto, XavierDoherty, Andrew Downton, Adam Griffith, Scott Kremerskothen, Daniel Marsh,Scott Mason, Ben Oliver, Damien Wright
Avishka Gunawardene has been recalled to the pool of players, who are training to play in the triangular one-day series, against India and New Zealand. But it remains to be seen whether the selectors consider him worthy enough to get into the final squad of 15.”I have done quite well. More than they asked of me. You know it’s up to them,” says the tall left-hander with a smile.The selectors have to be commended for adding him to the squad, which is in training ahead of the tri-nation series after his brilliant performance against the visiting Pakistan ‘A’ side where he scored a hundred and two fifties, in two unofficial ‘Test’ Matches.After the recall was announced, he scored a match winning 74 in the first One-Day International at the De Zoysa Stadium, Moratuwa today that also earned him the man of the match award.Surely the Indians and the Kiwis would not want to see the left-handed duo of Gunawardene and Sanath Jayasuriya opening the innings to make use of the fielding restrictions in the first 15 overs.If you ask him are you looking forward to the triangular series he’ll say: “If they pick me to the squad, yes; very much so.”
Sunderland have now reportedly opened talks to sign a La Liga forward, who has green-lit a move to the Premier League in the January transfer window.
Sunderland open talks to sign La Liga forward
Sunderland are in absolute dreamland. Fresh from their promotion and subsequent spending spree in the summer, the Black Cats are set to sit as high as sixth on Christmas Day. Not even the most optimistic fans could have predicted that at the start of the season, but those at the Stadium of Light aren’t done there.
Manager Regis Le Bris told reporters after drawing 0-0 against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday: “We won 26 points before AFCON, which is important and a big achievement, and now it’s really clear that we will be a bit less composed because we have less players.
“And the players who didn’t play so far will need time to step up. We trust their quality, their mindset but you’re can’t switch on and be at the level (straight away), so they will need time.”
What’s more, with AFCON underway and as many as six Sunderland players taking part in the tournament, the Black Cats could turn towards the January transfer window.
To that end, rumours are already arriving. According to recent reports, those in Wearside have already set their sights on signing the likes of Jhon Lucumi, who has been a target since the summer and could finally be on his way to the club.
Alas, he’s not the only one on their radar. According to TeamTalk, Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Sunderland are now in talks to sign Ruben Vargas, who has green-lit a move from Sevilla to the Premier League in the January transfer window.
Intermediaries have reportedly contacted Sunderland, Leeds United and Bournemouth over a move for the winger, sparking a Premier League race for his signature ahead of next month.
Ruben Vargas could ease Talbi blow
It makes perfect sense that Sunderland have reportedly opened talks to sign Vargas. As long as AFCON continues and they’re without Chemsdine Talbi, they’ll be without a crucial attacking spark that Vargas could reignite that month.
Valued at around €10m (£9m) by Sevilla, the Swiss winger is certainly in Sunderland’s spending range, so is may well come down to whether they can fend off any competition from Premier League rivals.
Sunderland "warrior" looks like a new Dan Ballard in the making
Regis Le Bris has a new Daniel Ballard on his hands at Sunderland in this determined warrior.
ByKelan Sarson
Manage that and then they can turn their attention towards Vargas’ salary demands. As things stand, he earns around £53,000-a-week at Sevilla, which would put him in Sunderland’s top 10 earners. Whether they regard his quality high enough to grant those demands is the big question.
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In terms of goals, it’s difficult to see how the 27-year-old would significantly add to Le Bris’ side, with just three strikes to his name all season to go alongside his four assists.
In the short-term, Vargas would provide added depth whilst AFCON continues to stretch Sunderland’s squad. In the long-term, however, the Black Cats may struggle to find a place for the Sevilla star.
Andrew Flintoff smacked 27 from 23 balls to take Lancashire to a thumping eight-wicket win over Scotland in Edinburgh. Scotland, inserted by Lancashire, slumped to 21 for 5 with James Anderson and Glen Chapple nipping out the top-order. Scotland didn’t help themselves, however, with three farcical run-outs, though Majid Haq at least managed to lift their total to something resembling respectability, with 23 from 64 balls. Tom Smith trapped him lbw to pick up 3 for 14 from 10 overs. A target of 74 was never going to trouble Lancashire, though they did lose Mal Loye and Gareth Cross. Flintoff, however, was in no mood to hang around, cracking four fours and lifting a six to take his side home in the 12th over.Derbyshire were bowled out for just 94 on a wet day at Headingley as Yorkshire romped home by 25 runs. In a match reduced to 24 overs due to rain, Yorkshire themselves slipped to 47 for 4 and it was only Adil Rashid’s 36-ball 41 which gave them a total that was vaguely competitive. Set 120 from 24 overs, Derbyshire crashed to 27 for 4 with Tim Bresnan grabbing two early wickets, but it was Anthony McGrath who shone with the ball, taking 3 for 16 in four overs as Derbyshire were dismissed in the 23rd over.
South East Division
A fine allround performance from Essex earned them a 14-run win over Sussex in another rain-interrupted match at Chelmsford. Essex piled up 291 for 8 from 50 overs, with Grant Flower cracking 75 from 90 balls; Ravi Bopara 59 from 71 and Ryan ten Doeschate a blistering 61 from 53. Sussex were set a revised 156 from 24 overs and Matt Prior looked to be taking them close with a brisk 50, before falling to ten Doeschate. Murray Goodwin smacked 29 from 18 but it was too little, too late.Tim Murtagh continued his excellent form for Middlesex who beat Kent by a slender six runs at Lord’s. That Middlesex reached 177 for 8 was largely thanks to Billy Godleman’s 43 from 69 balls, and he received good support from Andrew Strauss (33) and Eoin Morgan (29). With rain interrupting proceedings Kent were set a revised target of 173 from 33 overs, and were going nicely with Martin van Jaarsveld (58) at the crease. But Murtagh tore into the lower order to leave Kent requiring 12 from the last five, and they were bowled out off the last ball of the match.
Midlands Division
A slick 111 at close to a run-a-ball from Robert White anchored Northamptonshire’s chase against Warwickshire at Northampton, before Lance Klusener’s brisk 26 took the home side to a four-wicket win. Warwickshire set Northamptonshire a challenging 294 after Darren Maddy (77), Ian Westwood (65) and Jonathan Trott (60*) formed a powerful trio in the middle-order. Northamptonshire were soon in trouble too, slipping to 60 for 3 before White – who reached his hundred from 107 balls – turned the match around, and the hosts ran home with seven balls to spare.Ireland promised much but failed to play with enough conviction, falling to a 56-run defeat to Nottinghamshire at the picturesque Clontarf Cricket Club in Dublin. Kevin O’Brien led Ireland’s new-ball attack very impressively, picking up career-best figures of 4 for 31 from his 10 overs and troubling most of Nottinghamshire’s top-order. Indeed, the visitors were 6 for 2 when Mark Wagh shouldered arms to a sharp off-cutter. However, Adam Voges – who also had an excellent day in the field – struck 60 from 83 balls to guide Nottinghamshire to 217 for 9. Ireland never got going in reply, stumbling to 60 for 5 as Mark Ealham showed the benefits of bowling stump-to-stump with 4 for 39. Andrew White carved 30 from 40 and Kyle McCallan was unbeaten on 20, but there was little else for the home crowd to cheer.
South / West Division
Fifties from Matthew Wood (91*) and David Hemp (50) lifted Glamorgan to 174 for 4 before rain forced a draw against Gloucestershire at Bristol. Wood and Hemp put on 119 for the first wicket, both hitting nine fours, but Marcus North (3 for 32) nipped out Mike Powell for a duck, Tom Maynard for 1 and Jamie Dalrymple for just 8 to prompt a mini-collapse before the rains came tumbling.Daryl Mitchell struck an unbeaten 48 for Worcestershire whose match against Somerset dribbled into a draw at a rainy New Road. Mitchell hit four fours in his 70-ball innings to rescue Worcestershire from a disappointing 55 for 5 and lift their total to 154 for 8 before the rain ended proceedings. Worcestershire were again without Simon Jones who failed a fitness test on the stiff neck which has kept him out of their last three matches.
The news that the Africa Cricket Association had brokered a deal which should signal and end to Kenya’s internal crisis will mean that a full-strength side is fielded for the Intercontinental Cup tie against Uganda later this month.A meeting of the players in Nairobi today ended with an agreement that all those who had been refusing to play for the Kenya Cricket Association would make themselves available for selection. A number of leading players have been on strike since October over contract issues and outstanding payments, and others are believed that have made it clear that they would not play for any side fielded by the KCA.But obstacles remain. The KCA said today that it did not have any cash and so was unable to fund the team. It is thought that Percy Sonn, the ICC vice-president who was in Nairobi at the weekend, will ask the ICC to provide sufficient funds to enable Kenya to get over this hurdle.Kenya’s first match in the tournament, against Namibia, was due to be played last February but was postponed by the ICC when it became clear that the KCA was in no position to field a side.
The prospect of Michael Vaughan making an England comeback this summer is still unclear following a meeting with experts to discuss his knee injury. The ECB have said he will visit a specialist on Thursday when the next step will be considered.On Monday, Vaughan met with Yorkshire physio Scott McAllister, consultant Wayne Worton and England physio Kirk Russell to discuss where he goes from here. Although he has been playing for Yorkshire for the last month, he is still troubled by the injury. Last week, a team-mate said that Vaughan still had good and bad days.No announcement was made after the meeting, but given that progress is slow at best, there must now be serious doubts as to his fitness for this November’s Ashes. It is possible that Vaughan will need to undergo another operation to clean-up the knee joint. If so, then he would be out of action for almost the remainder of the season. A worst-case scenario would mean him needing major surgery which could sideline him for up to nine months.As if that wasn’t bad enough, earlier it emerged that Ashley Giles has decided to fly to the United States for confirmation that he needs another operation to try to cure his hip problem. He has not played since his first hip surgery in December, and is now considering visiting the same surgeon who last week operated on Simon Jones.Duncan Fletcher, England’s coach, told The Guardian: “Vaughan, Giles, Jones and [Andrew] Flintoff are world-class players and their injuries are a concern. I’ve adopted the attitude that it will be a huge bonus if they come back. That’s why we have to go with these other players and get them ready for later on in the winter.”Despite his Ashes-winning side falling to pieces, Fletcher kept his faith in the young replacements called up recently, though their initial display left much to be desired. “We kept it quite simple, but they didn’t bowl to the plan,” he said. “We just wanted them to go in and bowl straight. None of the bowlers seemed able to do that. I still think it is a mental thing. They don’t bowl that badly in the nets. You have to reassure individuals that it just takes one game to turn it around.”
Waqar Younis has been named as part of a five-man panel that will help work with the Pakistan offspinner, Shoaib Malik, who was reported by the umpires Aleem Dar and Simon Taufel, and the match referee Jeff Crowe, for a suspect bowling action in the final of the recently concluded Paktel Cup.Abbas Zaidi, a spokesman for the Pakistan Cricket Board said: “We have formed a five-member committee which will work with Shoaib and submit a report [to the ICC].” Waqar, who was Pakistan’s captain when Shoaib made his Test debut in 2001, is joined on the panel by Bob Woolmer, the national team coach; Khizar Hayat, a former international umpire, and Ijaz Faqih and Bruce Yardley, ex-Test players.The panel have six weeks in which to work with Shoaib, before reporting their findings to the ICC as stage one of the process for assessing bowlers with potentially flawed actions. Malik himself, who is currently playing in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Faisalabad, will undergo corrective measures on his action after the two-match series is concluded. If his action was reported again, he would have his case brought before the ICC’s bowling action review committee.