Cricket Australia’s coffers were boosted by US$500,000 in prizemoney today as reward for leading the ICC championship tables on April 1. James Sutherland, the Cricket Australia chief executive, accepted the cheque that included two amounts of $250,000 for topping the Test and one-day ladders.Sutherland said the prize recognised the performance of the team and its behind-the-scenes management. “Off the field we have strong and dedicated administrative bodies at national and state level that provide tremendous support for the Australian and state teams.”Simon Katich, the Test and one-day batsman, said Australia were excited about the next five months and wanted to remain No. 1. “The ICC tables have us on top at the moment, but we are certainly not taking anything for granted,” he said. “Our immediate focus is on defending the Ashes before turning our attention in October to the Super Series.”The Test Championship was introduced in May 2001 while the ODI table was introduced in October 2002. However, this was the first time there was a financial incentive for finishing in front.
Chris Martin’s medium-pace caused a South African collapse in the morning, then Scott Styris hammered a breezy hundred as New Zealand fought back strongly on the second day at Auckland. Having restricted South Africa to 296, New Zealand were in a dicey position at 12 for 2, but Styris defied the bowlers with an aggressive 118, and by the end of the day his side were only 95 behind.Styris didn’t hold back, even when Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini moved the ball around. He attacked David Terbrugge with shots all around the wicket, and blasted Nicky Boje out of the attack. As his innings progressed, the bowling lost its sheen. Even Pollock, after a fine first spell, sprayed it around in his second stint as the score rolled along. Styris and Craig McMillan stepped on the pedal as the day wore on: they put on 64 in just 11.3 overs.In an attempt to make the most of the overcast conditions, the South African bowlers pitched the ball up to the bat, and Styris capitalised, creaming the half-volleys neatly. He also used the angles of the oddly shaped Eden Park ground shrewdly. Flicks and glides raced away, and some of his cover-drives were gorgeous. He bludgeoned Boje for a huge six, and brought up his third Test century with a majestic cover-drive. He had some good support, too. Mark Richardson made a patient 45, and McMillan (31 not out) joined in with bubbly enthusiasm. Richardson, though, threw it away as he slashed at a wide one from Kallis, and Herschelle Gibbs pouched the straightforward chance (137 for 3).Styris put New Zealand in control but it was Martin who had begun the rescue job. He deceived Jacques Kallis with a crafty legcutter – Kallis departed for 40, his quest for that record-equalling sixth century in as many Tests postponed to the second innings – lured Jacques Rudolph into a booming drive, baited Mark Boucher and Neil McKenzie into uppish drives, and polished Ntini off for a second-ball duck. Add Grame Smith’s wicket, which he snared yesterday, and his fine exhibition of swing and seam bowling was rewarded with 6 for 76. All that came after spraying it around on the first morning and being collared by Gibbs and Smith.Rudolph fell in the third over of the day, trying to wallop a full-pitched one. The edge flew to Michael Papps at third slip (235 for 3). Kirsten, playing in his 100th Test, made just 1 before Jacob Oram sneaked one through the gate – the ball cut in a shade after pitching and clipped the top of off stump (236 for 4).But the big one came in the next over. Martin bowled a few good incutters to Kallis, before delivering one that held its line. Kallis played inside the line of the ball and the edge was acrobatically collected by Brendon McCullum (240 for 5).
Boucher swished at a wide one while Pollock missed a straight ball that kept a shade low (273 for 7). But Martin wasn’t finished yet, and he completed the turnaround by nailing McKenzie and Ntini, before South Africa were finally all out for 296. Only 65 had been added to the overnight total, and South Africa had lost 10 wickets for 119 runs. This was partly due to the overcast conditions, but was mainly down to the complete change in the New Zealand bowlers’ discipline.South Africa’s opening bowlers continued in similar vein. Pollock snapped up his 331st Test wicket, passing Allan Donald to become the highest wicket-taker for his country, with a near-perfect legcutter. Papps had to play at it, and the edge was easily taken at second slip. Stephen Fleming poked at one tentatively and Kallis latched on as the ball was screaming past him (12 for 2).At that point, ten wickets had fallen in the day. But only one more fell afterwards, and Scott Styris’s attacking methods were chiefly responsible for that.
The bid by the England and Wales Cricket Board to have the World Cup match against Zimbabwe played at a South African venue has failed. The World Cup technical committee, which heard the fresh evidence that the ECB had to offer about security in Zimbabwe has, for the second time, dismissed that evidence and has awarded the points from the match to Zimbabwe.This still left the ECB with an opportunity to appeal to an independent judge, as happened on the first occasion the technical committee dismissed their case, but chief executive Tim Lamb, speaking at a press conference shortly after the decision was announced, said that they would not be taking that option although convinced of the legal strength of their submission.He said, "We feel we have done everything we could have done to persuade the ICC of the merits of our case."We feel the issue has gone on long enough. In the interests of the World Cup, it’s time to move on and put the whole protracted and unfortunate episode behind us."Lamb and the ECB’s head of legal affairs, Mark Roper-Drimie, had attended the seven-hour meeting in Johannesburg yesterday in an attempt to reverse the technical committee’s previous verdict.However, despite presenting the new evidence that it would have been unsafe for England to have travelled to Harare, the committee was unmoved when presenting its verdict this morning.ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed did say: "It’s a decisionwhich gives the committee no pleasure," but that will be of little consolation to England who now know that they must win at least two of their matches against the big three in their group – Australia, India and Pakistan – to have any chance of qualifying for the later stages of the tournament.Sympathy also came from Michael Holding, the former West Indies fast bowler who was a member of the committee. He said: "I can understand their feelings because I have been through it too. I had to look at what the security professionals brought forward.”England’s disappointment with the result of the hearing was in direct contrast to the sentiments of the president of the Zimbabwe Cricket Union, Peter Chingoka, who said: "We are delighted. This puts the matter to rest and we can now focus on the tournament."England too can now focus on the rest of the tournament, although without the cushion of the eight points that Zimbabwe now enjoy following their win against Namibia and their victory in the conference room.However, despite the ECB’s decision not to appeal against the loss of the four points, it is unlikely that this will be the last to be heard about the matter. England may now face calls for compensation from the ICC for refusing to play in Harare. On this point, Speed said: “I don’t expect a quick resolution, not before May or June and certainly not before the end of the World Cup."
CricInfo Championship Division Two second-placed Hampshire hosts basement-strugglers Derbyshire at the Rose Bowl and welcome back Alan Mullally from international duty to the 12.Despite his seven wicket haul last week against Durham, Chris Tremlett is the likely candidate to miss out as Hampshire attempt to close the gap on leaders Middlesex.The hosts will be looking to re-enact their nine-wicket victory over the same opponents last month.Derbyshire are without skipper Dominic Cork, who is absent through injury. Chris Bassano, the South African born batsmen who created a new record last week by hitting two centuries on his Championship debut unsurprisingly holds his place.Hampshire: Giles White, Derek Kenway, Will Kendall, Robin Smith (capt), Neil Johnson, Laurie Prittipaul, Adrian Aymes (w-k), Dimitri Mascarenhas, Shaun Udal, Alex Morris, Alan Mullally, Chris TremlettDerbyshire: Stephen Stubbings, Luke Sutton (w-k), Michael Di Venuto, Chris Bassano, Matthew Dowman, Rob Bailey, Graeme Welch, Nathan Dumelow, Paul Aldred, Alex Edwards, Tim Munton (capt)
Liverpool have now set their sights on signing a £70m replacement for the injured Alexander Isak next month, according to recent reports.
Slot slams "reckless" Van de Ven challenge
When your luck is out, it is out and Isak’s luck is running on empty. Liverpool’s record signing emerged from the bench against Tottenham Hotspur to finally link-up with fellow big-money buy Florian Wirtz and open the scoring for the Reds.
It’s the type of goal that Liverpool would have been dreaming of all summer after their spending spree. What happened next, however, was an absolute nightmare.
Liverpool hold talks over move for £80m star who Klopp called "world-class"
The Reds could be presented with the opportunity to sign a new forward…
ByDominic Lund
Despite finding the back of the net, Isak couldn’t wheel away in celebration. Instead, he could only put his head in his hands and contemplate the next few months on the sidelines, courtesy of Micky van de Ven’s challenge.
The Tottenham defender’s desperate lunge fractured Isak’s leg and the forward will now be out for an extended period of time, disrupting what has already been a frustrating first first months at Anfield even further.
Arne Slot didn’t hold back when delivering his verdict on Van de Ven’s challenge, either. The Dutchman told reporters: “It’s going to be a long injury, for a couple of months. It’s a big disappointment for him and, as a result, for us.
“This was, for me, a reckless challenge. I’ve said a lot about the tackle of Xavi Simons (who was sent off dragging his studs down the calf of Virgil van Dijk) which for me was completely unintentional.”
Now, Liverpool’s attacking options down to a select few with Cody Gakpo also injured and Mohamed Salah at AFCON. As such, the hunt for reinforcements has reportedly seen Antoine Semenyo catch the eye as well as one more Premier League attacker.
Liverpool now eyeing Igor Thiago move
As reported by Caught Offside, Liverpool are also eyeing a move to sign Igor Thiago in the January transfer window, who could be an alternative to Bournemouth’s star winger.
The Brazilian has enjoyed an electric first-half of the season, scoring 11 Premier League goals in 17 appearances to attract interest from Spurs and now Liverpool.
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He won’t come cheap, though. Recent reports have claimed that Thiago could cost as much as £70m if Brentford get their way next month. After already losing Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa in the summer, it seems like the Bees are desperate to keep hold of their latest impressive forward.
The question that Liverpool must, therefore, ask themselves is whether they should spend big on Thiago or Semenyo. The latter is likely to be at the centre of the biggest January saga, given his £65m release clause, but would not be the out-and-out forward that the Reds need to replace Isak.
Thiago, albeit at a steep price, would instantly replace the Swede whilst he watches on from the sidelines in the hope of finally getting back to his best once back fit.
Worcestershire are lining up Cameron White, the Victoria allrounder, as their overseas player for the Twenty20 Cup. According to the he is one of “three or four” options being considered along with South African pair Shaun Pollock and Herschelle Gibbs.White has a strong Twenty20 pedigree with 878 runs in 26 matches and a top score of 141 not out made for Somerset. In his one international Twenty20 he plundered England for a 20-ball 40 in Sydney but missed out on a place in the World Twenty20 last September.Pollock, who retired from international cricket in January, has said he would like another spell of county cricket and has gained the interest of a number of counties. Pollock, Gibbs and White are all part of the forthcoming Indian Premier League.Worcestershire already have two overseas fast bowlers on their books, Steve Magoffin from Western Australia and West Indies quick Fidel Edwards. Magoffin could be retained for the Twenty20 but the county are keen for someone were more experience in that format. Edwards then arrives for his stint in July.
Suspicious starter of the Day By the time Matthew Hayden had faced 18 deliveries in his last matchagainst South Africa at St Kitts he had boshed his way to 32 not outwith three fours and two sixes. Today, on a virgin pitch at Antigua’sbrand-new stadium, it took him that many balls to dribble his firstrun, a cagey steer behind point. It was a deceptive beginning,however. By the time he’d gauged the pace and bounce of the pitch andclobbered the highest Australian score in World Cup history, few couldrecall its humble beginnings.Misjudgment of the Day Mark 1 Ricky Ponting was looking ominously set, as he pretty much alwaysdoes, when he poked one into the covers and set off for a tight,though not entirely suicidal, single. Waiting for him, however, wasnone other than Ramnaresh Sarwan, who picked up in an instant and pinged downthe stumps at the non-striker’s end. Ponting was gone for 35 from 36balls, and Australia’s momentum had been stunted at a crucialjuncture.Misjudgment of the Day Mark 2 But the next time Sarwan clearly felt that Antigua’s boundaries were quite bigenough. Standing ten yards in from the ropes at long-off, he wasnutmegged, David Seaman-style, by a rare miscued drive from Hayden on109. He leapt backwards but failed to get even a fingertip to the ball,and gestured that the ball had gone for six, perhaps to save face asmuch as anything else. In fact the shot had dipped late and bouncedsix inches inside the rope. Had he been right back to start with, whoknows what would have happened?Catch of the Day Nothing much could stem Hayden’s march, and in the final ten overs,he demonstrated that short boundaries were only a partial excuse forall the six-hitting that went on at St Kitts. His slap over long-onoff Jerome Taylor was a beauty – a shot that managed to be both high and flatat the same time. And yet … positioned in the deep, 15 rows back inthe top tier of the grandstand, an Aussie fan (it always is …) leaptout of his seat and back-flipped his way to a remarkable one-handedpluck. He didn’t even let go of the beer in his other hand (as it always is…).Let-off of the Day By the time the drizzle eased with just under two hours of play stillpossible, the word doing the rounds in the stadium was that we wereall set for a 20-over slog fest. Duckworth and Lewis had decided on atarget of 163, a figure which may have been justified by the old ruleof thumb that you take your score after 30 overs and double it, but inthis era of Twenty20 cricket it was generous in the extreme. In theend, the rain rolled in to leave Australia quite content with theirday’s work.
Mark Waugh has called for Trevor Hohns, Australia’s chairman of selectors, to be sacked following some questionable selections, notably the decision to drop Brad Hodge in favour of Damien Martyn.”I think the board need to have a very hard look at Hohns, that’s where the issue is,” Waugh said in the after speaking on radio. “He’s been there for a decade, which is a very long time to be in charge of picking our cricket teams.”There have been some funny selections lately. It stems back to New Zealand last year when Brett Lee didn’t play a Test. The [situation with] Hodge was also very unfair.”Hodge scored a magnificent double-hundred against South Africa – he toured India, New Zealand and England before getting his first Test cap – but was dropped in favour of Martyn for Australia’s tour to South Africa. Hohns described the decision as a “judgment call”.”It wouldn’t be hard to pick a good team, would it?” Waugh said. “But I think they have got a bit lost. When someone has been there for a long time sometimes you need … new thoughts.”
Stuart Carlisle has been named captain of Zimbabwe A for the visit of their Pakistan counterparts. The selectors have named a 15-man squad for the four-day matches and a 14-man squad of the one-day games that follow.The squads include a number of Zimbabwean Test players including Brendan Taylor and Stuart Matsikenyeri, who both struggled against South Africa, and are given an opportunity to hone their skills. Graeme Cremer, the legspinner who came in for some fierce punishment at the hands of Jacques Kallis, will also face the less daunting prospect of Pakistan’s second string.Taylor will share the wicketkeeping duties with Charles Coventry after Tatenda Taibu was not considered for selection to allow him a rest. Macsood Ebrahim, the convenor of selectors, said: “We are going to select the teams on a rotational basis because we want each player in either squad to play at least one game.”The tour runs from May 6-23 with two four-day games at the CFX Academy and Harare, followed by three one-day matches. Four-Day squad Stuart Carlisle (capt), Blessing Mahwire, Brendan Taylor, Mark Vermeulen, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Sean Williams, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Tawanda Mupariwa, Graeme Cremer, Allan Mwayenga, Trevor Gripper, Neil Ferreira, Keith Dabengwa, Anthony Ireland, Charles Coventry.One-Day squad Stuart Carlisle (capt), Blessing Mahwire, Keith Dabengwa, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Brendan Taylor, Mark Vermeulen, Douglas Marillier, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Sean Williams, Tawanda Mupariwa, Anthony Ireland, Ian Nicholson, Gavin Ewing, Charles Coventry.
Victoria 8 for 252 (Elliott 72, Moss 54, Hodge 52; Worthington 3-45) beat Western Australia 8 for 251 (Goodwin 64, North 54; Knowles 2-42) by two wickets, with 10 overs to spare Scorecard
Matthew Elliott: Victorian run-machine does it again
Victoria beat Western Australia by two wickets, and gained the bonus point that gave them an outside chance of making the ING Cup final against the same opponents later this month. They needed two runs off the last ball of the 40th over to clinch a bonus point, and Darren Berry, the captain, duly managed that thanks to a misfield in the deep from Paul Wilson.Western Australia started disastrously, slumping to 4 for 47, but Michael Hussey (28), Murray Goodwin (64) and Marcus North (54) came back strongly to take them to a competitive total of 8 for 251. Victoria, though, were always ahead of the asking rate, with Matthew Elliott (72) and Jonathan Moss (54) adding 141 for the first wicket at close to seven an over.Brad Hodge, who made 52, ensured that the momentum wouldn’t be lost, and though Victoria lost four wickets for seven in a shaky spell at the end, Berry saw the past the target. Victoria’s bowlers had set up the victory earlier, with Brad Knowles, a pace bowler making his debut, especially impressive (2-42). Shane Warne finished with 1-43.Western Australia were already assured of a place in the final, with 29 points. The bonus point they gained put Victoria on par with Queensland (28), and they must now hope for a convincing South Australia victory against Queensland at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday.