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Nathan Bracken led New South Wales’ demolition of Tasmania as they folded to 7 for 87 in reply to 172 on a dramatic opening day

Cricinfo staff02-Dec-2008
Scorecard
Phillip Hughes escaped the carnage on the first day at Bellerive Oval but narrowly missed a deserved century © Getty Images
Nathan Bracken led New South Wales’ demolition of Tasmania as they folded to 7 for 87 in reply to 172 on a dramatic opening day at Bellerive Oval. Phillip Hughes’ 93 stood out on an occasion for the bowlers, with Gerard Denton and Bracken causing some spectacular damage.Denton captured 5 for 18 from 9.2 overs after Dan Marsh won the toss for Tasmania, but the home side’s work was quickly undone by Bracken’s 5 for 14 from 11. There was still life in the green surface when the Blues bowled and the Tigers were in more trouble than their opponents had been earlier in the day when they slipped to 7 for 41 in the 16th over.Dane Anderson was bowled by Bracken off an inside edge for 25, George Bailey (5) was lbw and Tim Paine (2) popped a catch to short leg. The chaos continued when Luke Butterworth was caught behind for 0 and Brett Geeves hit his first ball to mid-on, giving Bracken his fifth wicket.Doug Bollinger struck with the second ball of the innings and Tasmania’s situation was not helped when the debutant Jonathan Wells was run-out after finding himself at the same end as Anderson. At stumps Marsh was 21 and Denton was 23 after settling the side during a 46-run stand.Hughes performed a one-man act to rescue the Blues after they lost Usman Khawaja and Peter Forrest by the 10th over of the day. While watching his team-mates exit at regular intervals, Hughes remained calm and steady, moving to his half-century shortly before lunch.However, his resistance ended in sight of a century when he was lbw to Geeves for 93. The dismissal was a major setback as it came a ball after Moises Henriques edged Marsh to slip on 38, ending an important 71-run revival.Denton had picked up Ed Cowan for 11 and the captain Dominic Thornely third ball to drop the visitors to 4 for 51. He came back after tea to finish off the innings and his collection was supported by Geeves, who took 2 for 38.

Crystal Palace journalist Matt Woosnam insists that Christian Benteke was not given the correct amount of service last season.

The Eagles endured a difficult season under manager Roy Hodgson, finishing in the mid-table mediocrity of 14th.

Benteke struggled for goals throughout the first few months of the campaign, scoring just six goals in the first 26 games of the campaign.

The Belgium international then enjoyed a flurry of goals, as he netted four times in his final four appearances of the season, and he has now signed a new two-year contract.

Woosnam thinks that the former Liverpool striker struggled at points because Palace simply decided against putting enough crosses into the box, for the big man in the area.

Of course, Benteke has been prolific previously, scoring 15 goals in 36 games in 2016/17 but since then he scored just six times in three seasons, prior to 2020/21.

And Woosnam said: “I think that was a really interesting one because you look at the reasons behind why he wasn’t scoring and it would be too easy to just point it at the tactics. It wasn’t just that but that definitely played a significant part in it.

“When I analysed the crosses that Palace put in, they crossed the fewest times, I think, of any Premier League club under Roy Hodgson and you look at the goals that he scored in his debut season for Palace and a lot of them were from crosses.

“They weren’t necessarily headers but they were from crosses. Everyone knows how good he is in the air, as well.”

Benteke will be hoping to hit the back of the net this weekend, when Palace take on Chelsea.

Ashley Preece has teased Aston Villa fans when it comes to any new signings, labelling sporting director Johan Lange as ‘the master of springing a surprise’ in the market.

The Lowdown: Villa’s transfer window

Villa have been fairly busy this summer when it comes to incomings and outgoings.

Three big-money signings have arrived in Emi Buendia, Leon Bailey and Danny Ings, while Ashley Young returned on a free transfer and Axel Tuanzebe sealed another loan move to Villa Park from Manchester United.

Jack Grealish left for Manchester City in a British record deal, whereas the club also received fees for outcasts Mbwana Samatta and Bjorn Engels.

The Latest: Preece’s post

Birmingham Live reporter Preece shared a story on Tuesday morning regarding a number of Villa topics.

One of which was on transfers, where he said that ‘as it stands, those close to the club have said that Villa’s business is all but done unless a shock deal arises’.

However, Preece was asked by a Villa fan on Twitter for any transfer news on Tuesday evening.

He replied, labelling Lange ‘the master of springing a surprise’, teasing supporters with his reply.

“Lange’s the master of springing a surprise, we’ll see what unfolds Leo!”

The journalist’s message went under the radar as it was a reply to another user rather than an original tweet.

The Verdict: A central midfielder?

Should Lange surprise us all and look at one more high-profile addition before the end of the month, it could well be in the heart of midfield.

James Ward-Prowse, Cheick Doucoure and Pape Sarr are three central midfielders who have all been linked with a move to Villa Park this summer, so it certainly seems like the club are in the market in that department.

The Villans are yet to make a first-team addition in that area, so perhaps if Villa have another shock move up their sleeve, they could look to bring one in. Only time will tell if Preece’s enticing hint leads to a Lange ‘surprise’.

In other news: Exit news: Ashley Preece thinks ‘underrated’ Aston Villa ace will now leave before window shuts. 

Shakib Al Hasan took three wickets, including the prized ones of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, to rattle Sri Lanka on the first day in Mirpur

Cricinfo staff26-Dec-2008
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Shakib Al Hasan was the stand-out performer for Bangladesh, taking three key wickets © AFP
Shakib Al Hasan took three wickets, including the prized ones of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, to rattle Sri Lanka on the first day in Mirpur. A two-hour start delay due to fog was followed by a period of domination by Sri Lanka, Michael Vandort and Sangakkara taking them to 119 for 1, before Shakib triggered a collapse. Sri Lanka, who opted to bat, lost five wickets for 52 runs to hand Bangladesh the first day’s honours.Bangladesh had the better of a brief first session, dismissing Malinda Warnapura for 14 and slowing down the visitors with consistent bowling from the new-ball bowlers, Mashrafe Mortaza and Mahbubul Alam. They stuck to a probing line on and outside the off stump and their persistence almost paid dividends in the seventh over, when a short ball from Mortaza induced an outside edge from Warnapura. However, Mushfiqur Rahim, Bangladesh’s wicketkeeper, not only failed to take the catch but was struck on the face in the process and was forced off the field, Junaid Siddique taking over behind the stumps. Warnapura, though, fell in the next over, trapped plumb in front to an inswinger from Mortaza.However, Vandort and Sangakkara staged a recovery after lunch with Mortaza and Alam unable to replicate their first-session form. Boundaries started to flow as the batsmen were fed several short-and-wide balls and overpitched deliveries on leg stump.Sangakkara wasn’t in the best of form, though, and had two chances grassed; one on 11 – and inside edge that Mushfiqur couldn’t latch on to after returning to keep in the second session – and another on 32, when Junaid was unable to react quickly enough at first slip.At the other end, Vandort started to open up, moving into the forties by launching Shakib over long-on for six. Just as Sri Lanka were taking control of the game, though, Bangladesh fought back. Sangakkara and Vandort were caught at midwicket in the space of two runs and, three overs later, Shakib bowled Mahela Jayawardene through the gate for 3. They went in to tea at a shaky 139 for 4.Bad light restricted the final session to under ten overs but that was enough time for Bangladesh to remove the two Sri Lankan batsmen who made runs in the practice game earlier this week. One of them, Tillakaratne Dilshan, carted Shahadat Hossain for consecutive boundaries but soon became Shakib’s third victim, bowled after misreading a straighter one. The other, Prasanna Jayawardene, top-edged a pull to fine leg and Sri Lanka slid to 171 for 6.Thilan Samaraweera is the only specialist batsman remaining but memories of Chaminda Vaas’ century against them last year will remind Bangladesh that they can’t afford to be complacent on the second day.

Renovation work on the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore has been stopped with immediate effect by the PCB, after the board claimed they had discovered “massive irregularities” in the construction of the far end pavilion

Cricinfo staff09-Jan-2009

Renovation work at the Gaddafi Stadium has been halted © Andrew Miller
Renovation work on the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore has been stopped with immediate effect by the PCB, after the board claimed they had discovered “massive irregularities” in the construction of the far end pavilion. The present administration, led by chairman Ijaz Butt, has placed the blame fully on the men they replaced last August in a strongly-worded, no-holds barred statement.The work on the stadium had begun in February 2008 and was due to be completed by the end of August, in time for the Champions Trophy, which was eventually postponed. The work had been budgeted originally at Rs 142 million (around US$1.8m), the statement claimed, but had overrun to such an extent that the final projected cost was Rs 471 million (around US$6m). Further, the architect behind the project was said to be a “buddy” of Shafqat Naghmi, the chief operating officer at the time.”The VIP enclosure at the Gaddafi Stadium was conceived by the previous management of PCB and was a show piece to be ready before the ICC Champions Trophy to be held in September 2008 at a cost of Rs 142 million for usable area of 55, 000 square feet. The architect who was awarded the contract was a close buddy of Shafqat Naghmi,” read the statement.”The design is faulty – huge columns have been constructed which have blocked spectators’ view. Hospitality boxes have been ill-conceived and huge dinning room areas have been left at the back of the boxes which have very little utility. There has been a huge cost overrun … the total has reached staggering figure of Rs 471 million. The whole project is a monumental disaster, utter wastage of PCB funds and is a tribute to the management ego and vision of grandeur.”The project was to be completed by 31st August 2008. It was sheer negligence and incompetence of the previous management that the project has not been completed in time and there has been a colossal cost increase. The amazing aspect of the whole fraudulent tender is that a hefty advance has already been paid to the contractor.”Naghmi, as well as Ahmar Malik, former GM special projects, are said to have travelled abroad at the board’s expense to visit various cricket stadiums as has the architect. The board claims they questioned the architect about the problems with the design, though his reply was only that the design was made according to the clients’ instructions. Since the departure of Naghmi last year, the board claims it hasn’t been able to find any document approving the revision of costs.Butt has now sought the services of an independent team of professionals to put a proper cost on the project, the results of which will become clear in two weeks. The audit of all similar infrastructure projects is currently being conducted by the auditor general of Pakistan. The charges are the latest in a series of allegations of financial mismanagement the present administration has made against Nasim Ashraf’s board, in particular Naghmi, who, it is claimed, tried to leave board property on his last day with important files and documents.

Fabrizio Romano has dropped an exciting Newcastle United transfer update as deadline day looms closer.

What’s the story?

According to recent reports from The Shields Gazette, Steve Bruce’s side have made their checks on Liverpool’s Kabak, with QPR’s Rob Dickie and former Celtic star Kristoffer Ajer also those who have said to have been scouted.

Now, Romano has delivered an update on where things stand with the Magpies’ pursuit of Kabak.

Writing on Twitter, he said: “Torino have made a bid to sign former Liverpool centre back Özan Kabak. €1.5m loan fee plus buy option, Schalke refused as they want permanent deal. Talks on. #transfers Newcastle are also interested in Kabak but no official bid yet.”

Premier League proven

With Liverpool without the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez last season, Kabak was thrust straight into the deep end by Jurgen Klopp, but that certainly didn’t faze him, with the centre-back’s maturity something that has been previously lauded.

Thomas Hitzlersperger once commented: “It’s incredible how worldy-wise he is for his age. It’s astonishing. I see him every day and am amazed at how he mature he is.”

In fact, Klopp even revealed that Schalke boss David Wagner said “he would be a future captain”, while Arsenal’s former head of recruitment Sven Mislintat was equally glowing when talking about him.

He told The Athletic: “I told Jurgen that he’s a top lad. Top mentality, top character, top aggression. He’s a (Dejan) Lovren-type player. Very good in the air, both defensively and in the opposition box.

“He played his best stuff for us (at Stuttgart). He hasn’t been able to show how good he is at Schalke. He still needs to learn but he has all the skills for Klopp to make a success of him.”

With Liverpool having decided not to take up their option to sign Kabak in the summer, the £22.5m-rated ace could well be a shrewd signing for the Magpies.

Fans will surely be buzzing with the prospect of a Premier League proven player arriving at St James’ Park if Newcastle do in fact follow up on their interest in the centre-back.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United have made contact with this Bundesliga star…

Despite the innings-and-23-run victory at Sabina Park the West Indies selectors have made three changes to the squad for the second Test against England at North Sound in Antigua

Cricinfo staff09-Feb-2009
Lendl Simmons earned a spot in the squad for the second Test thanks to his domination of England in the warm-up match © Getty Images
Despite the innings-and-23-run victory at Sabina Park the West Indies selectors have made three changes to the squad for the second Test against England at North Sound in Antigua. The allrounder Ryan Hinds has been recalled and Lendl Simmons, who hit 282 against England for West Indies A in St Kitts, has replaced Xavier Marshall. The injured Dale Richards has been left out.Hinds replaces Amit Jaggernauth, the offspinner, and has been in outstanding domestic form this season. He currently tops the four-day averages with 585 runs at 83.57 including a career-best 240 for Barbados against Leeward Islands. His runs are supplemented by 18 wickets at 18.66 with his left-arm spin.Marshall has paid for his second-ball duck in the first Test which continued his poor form after a lean tour of New Zealand. Before the game Chris Gayle said Marshall was under pressure, but had the backing of the team. That support has lasted one match and it means there will be at least one change to a winning unit.Simmons, who has eight ODI caps and is the nephew of former Test opener Phil Simmons, has been propelled into the Test squad after his marathon effort in England’s second warm-up match where he batted for the best part of five sessions. Either he or Hinds could replace Marshall in the batting line-up.Whereas Simmons could come in as a straight swap at No. 4, Hinds’ inclusion would probably mean a shift in the batting order with him slotting in at No. 6. In that case, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Brendan Nash would move up one place each.Richards, who was set for his debut at the age of 32, was ruled out of the opening Test after injuring his foot playing against the Leeward Islands. He is out of action for three weeks but could be back in contention for the third Test on his home ground in Barbados.West Indies squad Chris Gayle (capt), Devon Smith, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Lendl Simmons, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Brendan Nash, Ryan Hinds, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Jerome Taylor, Sulieman Benn, Daren Powell, Fidel Edwards, Lionel Baker.

Helder Costa’s proposed last-minute move from Leeds United to Valencia could be off, following a late twist in the saga on deadline day.

The Lowdown: Costa tipped for Valencia move

The 27-year-old has been linked with a late move to the La Liga side, as he looks to enjoy a fresh challenge and earn more playing time.

On Tuesday, it appeared as though a switch to Spain could materialise for Costa, but that story has now taken a turn.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359346″]

The Latest: Deal looks to be off

According to Spanish journalist Hector Gomez on Twitter [via MOT Leeds News], Valencia boss Jose Bordalas has called off the move at the eleventh hour.

The ‘player wants to come’ but the manager has reportedly ‘stopped the operation’, which suggests Costa may end up remaining a Leeds player until at least January now.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-15/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Huge blow for winger

This is a big blow for Costa, considering how hard he could find it to earn playing time at Leeds moving forward.

The Portuguese was having a tough enough time of things at it was, but the addition of Daniel James from Manchester United only heightens the chances of him warming the substitutes’ bench.

The hope is that some late business can still be done, though, in order for Costa to reach a happier phase in his career and the Whites to secure a fee for his services.

In other news, one piece of Leeds deadline day business is reportedly done. Read more here.

Former Premier League striker Dean Windass believes that Odsonne Edouard is a real coup for Crystal Palace. 

Edouard completed a deadline day move to Selhurst Park from Celtic in a deal reported to be worth £14m, which could rise to £18.5m according to Sky Sports. The report also states that the 23-year-old has put pen to paper on a four-year deal with an option of a further 12 months.

Whilst with Celtic, Edouard scored 39 goals for his teammates.

The striker had a successful spell at Paradise as he helped the Hoops to three Scottish Premiership titles, three Scottish Cups and three Scottish League Cups, while he picked up the individual accolade of Player of the Year in 2019/2020.

And Windass believes that the signing of Edouard is a real coup for Crystal Palace, telling Transfer Tavern: “I’ve watched him when Josh was at Glasgow Rangers, as you say he’s a natural finisher. Listen it’s a positive move by Patrick Vieira and I’m sure once he gets up and going and he can get his first goal because he is a good player and that’s what Patrick brought him in for.”

Edouard was Crystal Palace’s seventh signing of the summer, with Marc Guehi, Michael Olise, Jacob Montes, Joachim Anderson, Conor Gallagher and Will Hughes all penning deals at Selhurst Park.

Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga has been included in the squad for the Twenty20 international against India after an absence of nearly a year due to a knee injury

Sa'adi Thawfeeq03-Feb-2009
Sri Lanka will be without some of their best bowlers during the Twenty20 international against India © AFP
Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga has been included in the squad for the Twenty20 international against India after an absence of nearly a year due to a knee injury. The selectors, however, have rested important players from the match on February 10, including captain Mahela Jayawardene, vice-captain Kumar Sangakkara and bowlers Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis and Nuwan Kulasekara.Selection committee sources said the players were being rested from the first Twenty20 international in the country keeping in mind the team’s hectic schedule this year. Tillakaratne Dilshan will captain the side and will have Chamara Kapugedera as his deputy.Sri Lanka are scheduled to host Zimbabwe, New Zealand and Pakistan in 2009, a year in which they also play the World Twenty20 in England in June, and the Champions Trophy in September-October.Among the players in the 15-member squad is 35-year-old Indika de Saram. Saram, a wicketkeeper-batsman who played a few games for Sri Lanka between 1999 and 2001, had complained to the sports minister about his exclusion from the squad for the Twenty20 tournament in Canada last October despite his impressive showing in local competitions.Sri Lanka Twenty20 squad: Tillakaratne Dilshan (captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Jehan Mubarak, Chamara Kapugedera, Chamara Silva, Indika de Saram, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Farveez Maharoof, Kaushalya Weeraratne, Malinga Bandara, Jeevantha Kulatunga, Dilhara Lokuhettige, Mahela Udawatte, Thilan Thushara.