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West Indies have nearly sealed their place in the Super Six after beating South Africa by two wickets in a close opening game in Newcastle

Cricinfo staff08-Mar-2009
Scorecard

Stafanie Taylor picked up 4 for 17 © Getty Images
West Indies have nearly sealed their place in the Super Six after beating South Africa by two wickets in a close opening game in Newcastle. Unless South Africa can contrive to beat Australia, it is unlikely they will make it to the next round and will have to be content with play-offs that follow the group stage.Seventeen-year old Stafanie Taylor starred with the ball, taking 4 for 17 with her offbreaks to restrict South Africa to 116. South Africa had begun positively with their openers Alicia Smith and Trisha Chetty adding 37 together before Debbie-Ann Lewis dismissed Chetty for 17. Two more wickets fell in quick succession but Smith hung on. Her 109-ball innings included four fours. She finally departed in the 39th over – run out by Deandra Dottin. South Africa’s innings simply imploded after that and the last six wickets fell for nine runs. Three wickets fell in one over – Taylor trapped Susan Benade (8) leg before and had Shandre Fritz (18) caught before Kirbyina Alexander ran out Sunette Loubser (1) off the last ball of the over. Taylor took two more in her next two overs.West Indies’ chase began poorly. Halfway through the eighth over their openers had returned to the pavilion with only 16 on the board. Fritz ran out Taylor (9) in the sixth over before Charlize van der Westhuizen had Dottin (7) caught by Benade in the next. Shanely Daley and Afy Fletcher dug in after that – adding 45 in 22.1 overs at just over two runs an over. After their departure Stacy-Ann King and Cordel Jack hung on to add 38 more in 12 overs. West Indies had the luxury of playing out so many dot balls since the target was paltry. It is unlikely they’ll get to do the same in their next two group games – against Australia and New Zealand.

Lee Gregory is the Sheffield Wednesday signing that has impressed former Owls midfielder Carlton Palmer the most.

Wednesday brought in a plethora of new recruits in the summer transfer window, with Gregory being one of them.

The 33-year-old striker joined from Stoke City at the start of August and has managed to hit the ground running at his new club.

In four League One outings, Gregory has scored twice to help take Darren Moore’s side to second in the table, two points behind Sunderland.

Speaking exclusively to FFC about Gregory and the rest of Wednesday’s summer business, Palmer said:

“All the signings he’s made have been good signings. He’s done really, really good business. I can’t speak highly enough of the business that he’s done, but I think the one that’s the most impressive is the lad Lee Gregory.

“I think he scores hatfuls in this league, he really does. If he gets the chances, he will do. And I think the way that Wednesday play with that high intensity that Darren likes to play, he’s going to get plenty of chances. He looks a very, very good player at this level.”

With signings such as Gregory, Wednesday look set for a promotion push based on the early signs.

If the Englishman can continue making an impact while the rest of Wednesday’s recent additions also deliver, then the Yorkshire club could be in for a really good season, which is just what they need after that extremely disappointing 2020/21 campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur will be without Giovani Lo Celso and Cristian Romero for their next two games after the chaos during international duty, but the pair are set to return against Chelsea.

The Lowdown: Argentina mess

Lo Celso and Romero were called up to Lionel Scaloni’s squad for the fixtures against Columbia, Brazil and Bolivia, but looked like they wouldn’t attend after the Premier League announced the agreement to block any travelling to red list countries- which Argentina is on.

Spurs are set to fine the two Argentina internationals, alongside Davinson Sanchez, for going against the club’s plans over this two-week break.

Sunday’s World Cup qualifier against Brazil was suspended after medical officials stormed the pitch to reprimand the England-based Argentinians.

The Lastest: ‘They should now…’

As shared by Football London’s Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold, the Spurs trio will miss the Premier League fixture with Crystal Palace and their opening Conference League game with French side Rennes.

‘We got there in the end. They should now just miss the matches against Crystal Palace and Rennes, along with Davinson Sanchez,’ he said on Twitter, sharing an announcement from the Argentinian FA.

After leaving Argentina, they are joining Sanchez in Croatia for a ten-day training camp and could be in contention to feature against Chelsea on September 19th.

Charlie Eccleshare of The Athletic has called the news ‘a really big bonus’ as the players won’t lose any fitness and if they stayed with their national teammates would miss the Chelsea and Arsenal game.

The Verdict: Huge boost for Spurs

It looked like Lo Celso and Romero would stay with Scaloni’s squad until the conclusion of the international break, but with them exiting a red list country now, they will be back for the doubleheader against Chelsea and Arsenal.

Spurs’ strong start to the season has inserted a good flow within the club and only missing the duo for the Palace and Rennes game won’t hurt Nuno Espirito Santo’s side too much.

However, missing Sanchez, who has started all three of the opening Premier League games, will leave a gaping hole. Nuno may need to turn to Japhet Tanganga to start in the centre of defence after his impressive start to the season at right-back, with the ‘phenomenal’ (via Serie A expert Conor Clancy) Romero also missing.

In other Spurs news, a Sky Sports pundit has rubbished the latest contract news for star. Find out more here.

The former Indian chairman of selectors, Dilip Vengsarkar, has ridiculed John Buchanan’s multiple-captain theory and believes Sourav Ganguly should lead the Kolkata Knight Riders during the second season of the IPL

Cricinfo staff01-Apr-2009The former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar has ridiculed John Buchanan’s multiple-captain theory and has said Sourav Ganguly should lead the Kolkata Knight Riders when the second season of the IPL gets underway in South Afica on April 18.”This is ridiculous. It is a mockery of the game with four captains telling the captain what to do and I’ll be glad to see [Sourav] Ganguly back at the helm of the Knight Riders,” Vengsarkar said. “Suppose there is one ball to go and six runs to be scored and then four guys come to advise. It can happen to Ganguly himself. I want Ganguly to go to Buchanan, whose idea it is, and ask him what to do.”Buchanan’s radical theory to have four or five captains leading the side thorugh the tournament was seen as a complete change to the whole approach to captaincy and leadership in cricket.The Knight Riders however put a lid on the controversy by releasing a statement yesterday saying that during a game the team would resort to a group of “strategists” who would report to one on-field captain while making decisions.Despite the latest decision, team sources said a compromise formula could lead to Sourav Ganguly captaining the team in the first five games after which, based on the team’s position, the role will be open to others.

Liverpool will be looking to continue their unbeaten start to 2021/22 when they host Crystal Palace in the Premier League this afternoon.

The Reds came from behind to defeat AC Milan in midweek to make it four wins in five games in all competitions in the opening weeks of the new season.

It’s a result which will have been particularly pleasing for manager Jurgen Klopp after he rotated his side for the Champions League fixture, and it should mean he has plenty of fresh legs to call upon for Palace’s visit.

However, one player who won’t be available is Roberto Firmino. The striker picked up a hamstring injury against Chelsea, and Klopp confirmed that the 29-year-old is still #unavailable.

“He’s not ready. Bobby won’t start training with the team until some time next week. Then we will have to wait and see,” the German said in yesterday’s press conference.

Teenager Harvey Elliott joined the Brazil international on the treatment table after suffering a dislocated ankle against Leeds United, but the duo are currently the absentees for 19-time English champions.

With that in mind, here’s how Football FanCast expects Klopp to line up at Anfield, with four changes from the side which saw off Milan on Wednesday…

In goal, the virtually ever-present Alisson Becker will keep his place between the sticks after keeping three clean sheets already this campaign.

Ahead of the South American shot-stopper may well be a much-changed back four from last time out. While full-backs Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold are expected to start in their usual slots, a new centre-back partnership could be formed.

Klopp started Joel Matip and the £27m-rated Joe Gomez against Milan, but the pair could make way for Virgil van Dijk and summer signing Ibrahima Konate, allowing the 22-year-old to make his Liverpool debut alongside the assured Dutchman.

The engine room is likely to see Naby Keita make way for Thiago after the Guinean’s underwhelming showing in midweek, with Fabinho and captain Jordan Henderson completing the midfield.

In attack, Sadio Mane should return to the starting line-up alongside Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah, while Origi drops back to the bench following a rare start on Wednesday.

In other news… Signed for free, sold for £19m: Edwards sealed a big Liverpool masterclass in 24y/o flop 

Intikhab Alam, the Pakistan coach, has said the team is “desperate” to win the series against Australia for the sake of the country’s fans

Cricinfo staff30-Apr-2009Intikhab Alam, the Pakistan coach, has said his team is “desperate” to win the series against Australia for the sake of the country’s fans who have been starved of international cricket because of security concerns in Pakistan.The five-match one-day series is poised at 2-1 in Australia’s favour but Alam attributed the lead to Pakistan’s batting errors. “If you look at the results of the last two matches, they did not outplay us,” Alam said. Pakistan were bowled out for 207 in the second ODI – with the last five wickets falling for 46 – and for 171 in the third ODI, where they were chasing a modest 199.Alam said he had told the senior batsmen after the losses to stay at the crease and put a value to their wicket.Michael Clarke, the Australian captain, said Pakistan would be under pressure since they had to win the fourth ODI on Friday to keep the series alive. “It’s a big game for us too, we really want to win. We need to be more focused on what we are doing.”The two teams will be playing a Twenty20 on May 7 following the one-dayers.

Carlton Palmer has offered his thoughts on Southampton’s interest in Sam Johnstone.

What’s the talk?

The former Saints midfielder has said that it would be a ‘no-brainer’ for the club to sign the goalkeeper from West Brom.

The Saints are reportedly interested in signing the England international and Palmer has claimed that the 28-year-old is worth the £15m asking price, although it is worth noting that The Athletic claimed the Baggies wanted £12m for him.

He told This is Futbol: “Yes, it’s a no-brainer. I think a lot of clubs will be interested in him on a free. I mean, I still don’t understand why he’s not gone.

“If it’s true that they were only asking for 15 million for him, I think at 15 million that’s good business. That’s cheap in today’s market.”

Ralph needs him

Martin Semmens must now ruthlessly axe £72k-per-week dud Fraser Forster in January to make way for the signing of Johnstone. The 33-year-old is out of contract next summer and currently playing second fiddle to Alex McCarthy at St Mary’s, which suggests that another goalkeeper coming in would make him the third choice.

This is why Semmens must cash in on the former Celtic man in the January window. It is the club’s final chance to recoup some money on him instead of losing him on a free transfer next summer, which is why he must be sold and replaced by Johnstone.

If the Saints can snap up the £12m-rated West Brom man in January, he could prove to be an upgrade on Alex McCarthy, who could then take up the backup position between the sticks, thus allowing Forster to move on. Last season in the Premier League,  McCarthy conceded 8.1 more goals than he should have, based on Expected Goals Against metrics.

Johnstone, meanwhile, prevented 4.1 goals as he performed to a higher level than expected of the average goalkeeper whilst playing for West Brom, who were eventually relegated. This suggests that he is a better shot-stopper than McCarthy in the top flight, which is why Ralph Hasenhuttl needs him in his squad.

The Baggies ace could offer Southampton a more assured last line of defence, increasing their chances of picking up points in the Premier League. Therefore, Semmens must strike a deal for Johnstone in January and reorganise the club’s goalkeeping ranks.

AND in other news, Fewer touches than McCarthy: Saints lightweight with 69% duels lost let Ralph down…

Gautam Gambhir and India Women captain Jhulan Goswami have been recommended for the Arjuna Award, one of India’s highest civilian honours for sportsmen, by the BCCI

Cricinfo staff29-Apr-2009Gautam Gambhir and India women’s captain Jhulan Goswami have been recommended by the BCCI for the Arjuna Award, India’s highest civilian honour for sportsmen.Gambhir has been in prolific form since the start of 2008, scoring 1579 Test runs at an average of 75.19. His most notable performance was his match-saving 137 against New Zealand in Napier, where India batted out close to two days after following on to retain a 1-0 lead in the series, which they eventually won. He’s also been one of India’s best perfomers in the ODI format, scoring 1494 runs at 46.38 in the same duration.Goswami replaced Mithali Raj as captain for India’s tour of Australia in October 2008, and subsequently led the team to third place in the World Cup. Goswami, one of the fastest bowlers in the game, is currently the third-highest wicket taker in women’s ODIs, and was named the ICC Women’s Player of the Year in 2007.

A round-up from the latest Friends Provident Trophy matches as Marcus Trescothick puts Scotland to the sword

Cricinfo staff11-May-2009Group BMarcus Trescothick blasted a brilliant 144 from 108 balls, and the recent triple-centurion James Hildreth maintained his penchant for big scores with 151 from 141 balls, as Scotland continued their struggles with a comprehensive 151-run defeat against Somerset at Taunton. After the early loss of Craig Kieswetter for 8, Somerset did not look back, as Trescothick and Hildreth added a hefty 260 for the second wicket in double-quick time. Even when Trescothick did finally fall to Matthew Parker, there was no end to the Scottish suffering, as Peter Trego hurtled into the fray with 74 from 39 balls – an innings that included six fours and four sixes. Somerset’s eventual total of 403 for 3 was never going to be challenged, even though Scotland’s captains new and old, Gavin Hamilton and Ryan Watson, led a brave pursuit with 62 and 67 respectively.Middlesex routed Kent by 80 runs at Canterbury. Click here for the bulletin.Group CJames Franklin and Steve Adshead rescued Gloucestershire with a remarkable seventh-wicket stand of 106, as Yorkshire were condemned to a three-wicket defeat in a thrilling low-scoring encounter at Bristol. After batting first, Yorkshire were restricted to 217 for 9, with Franklin and Jon Lewis excelling in helpful conditions. Jacques Rudolph was the first to go, bowled by Lewise after struggling to 1 from nine balls, and at 49 for 5 humiliation beckoned. Yorkshire’s captain, Anthony McGrath, found solid support from Rich Pyrah, however, and added 115 for the sixth wicket to give their bowlers a total to defend.They made a good fist of it at first, with Deon Kruis and David Wainwright finishing with three wickets each, but having slumped to 107 for 6 the fightback began. With calm shot selection, Franklin and Adshead turned the match on its head, as Gloucestershire maintained their unbeaten record in the competition.Ed Joyce with the bat and James Kirtley with the ball propelled Sussex to a comfortable 56-run victory over Durham at Hove. Joyce, who compiled an excellent 127 from 125 balls to underpin a sizeable 50-over total of 313 for 6, opened the batting and added 110 for the first wicket with Joe Gatting, who made 50 from 61 balls, and then kept the innings ticking along as his middle-order colleagues all made starts without anyone exceeding Mike Yardy’s 27 from 20 balls. Their combined effort proved sufficient, however, despite the best efforts of Phil Mustard, whose run-a-ball 92 kept Durham in the hunt for the first half of the chase. Then, from a promising 188 for 2, Durham capitulated to Kirtley, who returned the best figures of his limited-overs career, 6 for 50 from 8.5 overs, to seal the contest with 19 balls to spare.Tables

Nottinghamshire 4 3 1 0 0 6 +1.545 853/150.3 714/173.1 Worcestershire 4 3 1 0 0 6 +0.583 847/156.1 743/153.3 Hampshire 4 2 1 0 1 5 +0.047 809/148.1 812/150.0 Leicestershire 4 1 3 0 0 2 -0.904 848/179.0 898/159.1 Ireland 4 0 3 0 1 1 -1.781 537/114.0 727/112.0

Group B Team Mat Won Lost Tied N/R Pts Net RR For Against

Somerset 4 4 0 0 0 8 +3.152 1032/142.3 769/188.0 Kent 5 3 2 0 0 6 -0.337 985/209.3 1169/232.0 Middlesex 4 2 2 0 0 4 +0.099 822/200.0 585/145.5 Warwickshire 3 1 2 0 0 2 +0.260 672/130.4 673/137.5 Scotland 4 0 4 0 0 0 -2.308 779/194.0 1094/173.0

Group C Team Mat Won Lost Tied N/R Pts Net RR For Against

Gloucestershire 5 5 0 0 0 10 +1.327 1287/245.4 978/250.0 Sussex 5 3 2 0 0 6 +0.242 1259/243.2 1215/246.2 Yorkshire 5 2 3 0 0 4 -0.017 1057/233.0 1058/232.2 Surrey 4 1 3 0 0 2 -0.372 883/183.0 951/183.0 Durham 5 1 4 0 0 2 -1.283 1056/250.0 1340/243.2

Group D Team Mat Won Lost Tied N/R Pts Net RR For Against

Essex 4 3 1 0 0 6 +0.197 933/182.4 929/189.1 Lancashire 4 3 1 0 0 6 +0.474 880/191.2 801/194.1 Derbyshire 4 2 2 0 0 4 +0.041 924/189.0 905/186.4 Northamptonshire 4 1 3 0 0 2 -0.130 986/189.0 974/182.1 Glamorgan 4 1 3 0 0 2 -0.620 830/185.1 944/185.0

Nuno Santo’s latest Tottenham Hotspur starting XI was quite damning.

Once again, his former Wolverhampton Wanderers star Matt Doherty did not feature as the pair made their returns to Molineux on Wednesday evening.

Instead, the Portuguese head coach opted for young academy graduate Japhet Tanganga, who appeared to be the first-choice at right-back until the deadline day arrival of Emerson Royal from Barcelona.

It now essentially leaves the 29-year-old as third-choice in north London.

Many could be forgiven in thinking that the arrival of Nuno would’ve given the Northern Ireland international the boost he needed to truly kickstart his Spurs career, particularly after he made 142 appearances under him in the old gold.

But that couldn’t be further from the truth as his future at the club looks as far away as it’s ever been, even under Jose Mourinho.

Back in February, ESPN reported that Doherty’s future was in doubt under the ‘Special One’ despite signing him for £15m earlier in the summer. He struggled to impress the former Spurs boss, who was even seen berating him from the sideline during one defeat to Liverpool – his red card against Leeds didn’t help either.

But with Mourinho gone, things have not changed for the £14.4m-rated dud whatsoever.

Under his former boss, Doherty has played only 277 minutes across all competitions so far this campaign, in which none of his appearances have been starts domestically, as per Transfermarkt.

He now has two other players ahead of him in the pecking order, so when January swings around, it would hardly be a surprise to see him moved on, especially as he’s reportedly earning wages of around £65k-per-week.

talkSPORT’s transfer expert Alex Crook even claimed in the summer that Doherty was surplus to requirements, so that only reinforces the potential of him leaving come the turn of the year.

Last season, the vastly-experienced defender was described as a “weak link” by BBC Sport contributor Premier League Panel.

After his latest snub, Doherty’s days are surely numbered at Tottenham Hotspur.

AND in other news, Paratici could make his biggest Spurs mistake yet as January transfer report emerges…