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Trinidad and Tobago batsman Lendl Simmons is looking forward to his Test debut following his inclusion in the West Indies squad for the second Test against England, starting in Antigua on Friday.Simmons, who has represented West Indies in eight ODIs, demonstrated his aptitude in the longer version of the game with 282 for the A team against England in last month’s tour game in St Kitts. “I am delighted to be called up to the West Indies for the second Test and I am really looking forward to going there and doing my best.”Simmons insisted a return to the West Indies team was always on his mind and now that he has been given the opportunity he will be looking to continue scoring runs. “Well, last season I had my eyes focused on this home series and from the beginning of the season I have been working really hard on getting form and trying to hit my target and my goals,” he said. “I think I did really well at the start of the season and I got an opportunity now and I want to make good use of it.”T&T selector Claude Phillip said he had high hopes for Simmons, who he described as “a good selection” for the second Test against England. Phillip, a former first-class player, said he always had faith in Simmons. He felt Simmons had lifted his game this season and had been able to concentrate a lot more out in the middle.”Simmons did surprise me a lot in terms of his concentration this season,” Phillip said. “I knew he had the ability and the talent, but his problem was being able to concentrate for long periods and to bat for almost two days is a great credit to him,” he said referring to Simmons’ career-best 282.Phillip was disappointed that the West Indies selectors had named the squad for the first Test before the tour match, but said it “had been the policy of the West Indies selectors in the past so it is not different for the present and, as the saying goes, better late than never”. Phillip was hopeful that Simmons would replace Xavier Marshall, who has been dropped for the second Test.”If he [Marshall] can’t open he should not be in the West Indies team because there are too many middle order batsmen around to be persisting with him because he is not a good player of spin bowling and Simmons, if he does not open, could get that spot in place of Marshall.”The second Test begins on February 13 at North Sound, Antigua.

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.

Liverpool have suffered an injury setback ahead of their Premier League clash with Crystal Palace this afternoon after manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed that Roberto Firmino will not be available for selection.

What’s the word?

The Brazil international picked up a hamstring injury in last month’s draw with Chelsea and has missed his side’s subsequent two matches against Leeds United and AC Milan.

Klopp was asked about the 29-year-old’s situation in Friday’s press conference, and the German confirmed today’s fixture has come too soon for the striker.

“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 Liverpool manager revealed.

However, it wasn’t all bad news for the Reds, as Klopp stated that Virgil van Dijk’s absence from the starting XI is midweek was merely to rest him, so he should feature from the off when the Eagles visit Anfield.

“If you like, we’re still in extended pre-season for him. I don’t want to talk about injuries, but Ibou (Konate), Joe (Gomez), Joel (Matip) all have had injuries. Now we just make sure we have a proper pair on the pitch,” the German said.

Jurgen Klopp will be gutted

With Firmino ruled out of action for the third game in a row, Klopp will surely be gutted to be without his first-choice centre-forward this afternoon.

The South American had made a solid start to the season, scoring in the curtain raiser against Norwich City after coming off the substitutes’ bench, but his momentum has been curtailed by injury.

His enforced absence saw Divock Origi get a rare chance to impress against Milan in midweek, and the wantaway forward could find himself in the starting lineup once again with Firmino still sidelined.

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

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. 

England clung on for a thrilling one-run victory against Trinidad and Tobago in their final warm-up match before Saturday’s US$20million match against the Superstars

The Bulletin by Andrew McGlashan28-Oct-2008
Scorecard
Kevin Pietersen shapes to launch one of his three sixes © AFP
England clung on for a thrilling one-run victory against Trinidad and Tobago in their final warm-up match before Saturday’s US$20million match against the Stanford Superstars. England were reduced to 11 fit players by a stomach bug sweeping the camp, but Kevin Pietersen sparkled with the bat before a patched-up attack did just enough to hold off a fine challenge from T&T. Steve Harmison kept them below the 10 needed from the final over, but there were concerns over Andrew Flintoff after he left the field before the end.If there was any thought that T&T would suffer a hangover from their success against Middlesex they were ill-founded and they once again put on a fine display. It was the perfect pressure-test for England ahead of the dart at millions and for a while during the closing overs it looked as though they would fail.Misfields started to appear from England and Ian Bell dropped a high catch at long-on, but Flintoff performed his usual end-of-innings party trick before Harmison – who had earlier bowled the first maiden of the tournament – stepped up for the final over. He targeted yorkers and was largely on target, yet could do little about an audacious dab-sweep from Samuel Badree which left T&T needed four off two balls. A tie would have led to a Super Over contest – a one-over aside duel to decide the result – but Harmison conceded just two singles as Ravi Rampaul was run out off the last ball.Four England players didn’t even make it to the ground, meaning Alastair Cook and Ravi Boapra were handed unexpected chances along with the already announced recalls for Graeme Swann and Harmison. It made team selection easy, but left them with an unbalanced side. England used the opportunity to experiment ahead of the main event at the weekend, promoting Samit Patel to No.3 then throwing him the new ball in a repeat of T&T’s tactics. Both were neither a major success or complete failure and at least Pietersen knows what is at his disposal and was able to witness his troops under some pressure.Pietersen himself had stood out with his class during a 30-ball 44, after Daren Ganga missed a tough catch to remove him 8, as England put their foot down in the second half of their innings. Pietersen’s effort was the most commanding innings of the week to date and showed how quality can overcome tricky conditions.Given the trend of the previous matches their 141 looked more than par, especially on a pitch with increasing uneven bounce, where some deliveries climbed alarmingly from a ridge on a good length. It was a well-paced innings, anchored by Bell’s sensible 37 from 41 balls before Pietersen provided the late impetus with three huge sixes between midwicket and long-on.T&T, though, weren’t going to die wondering. Justin Guillen was unlucky to be given out caught off his forearm, as umpire Asad Rauf decided against using the referral system. Lendl Simmons and the fearless Darren Bravo took on England’s attack, as Flintoff conceded three fours off his first three balls, before both fell in the space of three deliveries.Paul Collingwood showed the value of taking the pace off the ball during his economical four-over spell, which appeared to have given England some breathing space. Swann’s performance didn’t exactly cement his place for the big game, and Collingwood’s value as a bowler could put pressure on him.However, any hope England may have had of a comfortable finish vanished. Denesh Ramdin began to perform a repeat of his match-winning innings against Middlesex as he launched a late dart at the target. He crunched Harmison for a mighty six over long-on, only to fall later in the same over as he tried to chip over short fine-leg. He had got T&T close, although there was a little too much for the tail to do. England held on, but if they thought this was pressure wait until there’s life-changing money at stake in three days time.

AZ Alkmaar will be without star winger Jesper Karlsson against Celtic on Wednesday evening, The Daily Record report.

The Lowdown: Karlsson profiled

Karlsson only joined the Dutch side last year but has made quite the impact in his 11 months at the club.

The Sweden international netted 12 times and registered nine assists in all competitions for Alkmaar last season – his best season in front of goal in his career.

The 23-year-old is at the peak of his powers with a £7.2m career-high Transfermarkt valuation, however, he won’t be up against Ange Postecoglou’s side on Wednesday evening.

The Latest: Suspended

Celtic Park plays host to the first leg of the Europa League playoff, but the visitors will be without Karlsson.

The Daily Record shared a story on Tuesday morning, revealing Karlsson is serving a suspension following his red card against Rijeka in the Europa League group stages last season.

That has carried over to the current campaign, and as it is their first fixture in Europe, the winger will be missing in Glasgow.

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The Verdict: Huge

No Alkmaar player contributed to more Eredivisie goals than Karlsson’s 20 last season, so his absence is a huge boost for Postecoglou and his Celtic side.

With home advantage and the visitors without one of their key men, Celtic may see this as a real opportunity to take a first-leg lead ahead of their trip to the Netherlands next week.

A first-leg lead could well be crucial, especially as the Hoops failed to defeat FC Midtjylland in the Champions League after only managing a draw at home.

In other news: Leeds keen on another Celtic ace alongside Leo Hjelde. 

علق أمير مرتضى منصور المشرف على الكرة بنادي الزمالك على مباراة فريقه الليلة أمام الداخلية ضمن منافسات كأس مصر.

وتمكن الزمالك من التأهل لدور الـ16 من كأس مصر، بعد الفوز على الداخلية بنتيجة 2-1، في المباراة التي احتضنتها أرضية ملعب استاد القاهرة.

وقال أمير مرتضى منصور في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة “أون تايم سبورتس1”: “اللاعبون الدوليون غائبون بجانب الإصابات، وشيكابالا خاض تدريبين فقط قبل اللقاء، اليوم في التشكيل تم الدفع باللاعبين الشباب وأدوا ما عليهم”.

وتابع: “هذه هي الظروف والمدرب فيريرا ليس لديه الرفاهية، نلعب كل مباراة على حدة، ولا توجد رؤية واضحة للمسابقات، مباراة في الكأس الحالي ومباراة نلعبها في الكأس الماضي (إحنا بنلعب وخلاص)”.

وأردف: “التدعيمات ستتم بالتشاور مع المدير الفني، ولكن وفقًا لاستراتيجية الزمالك، وجئنا في شهر فبراير على مشاكل إدارية وفنية ومادية، وبالتأكيد في نهاية الموسم سيكون هناك تقييم لـ فيريرا، لكن صعب الحكم حاليًا بسبب الظروف الصعبة التي جاء عليها”.

طالع | أيمن يونس: مشاكل الزمالك أمام الداخلية سببها فيريرا.. وأنقذ نفسه بتغييراته

وأضاف: “أشكر اللاعبين الذين أدوا اليوم وقدموا أنفسهم، مثل عبد الله جمعة وسيف جعفر وإسلام جابر”.

وبسؤاله عن مواجهة الأهلي المقبلة في قمة الدوري، أجاب: “دائمًا مباراة القمة ليس لها توقعات أو حسابات، والأهلي والزمالك فريقان كبيران ولديهما لاعبين كبار يستطيعون صناعة الفارق”.

وتابع: “نحترم النادي الأهلي بغض النظر عن أي ظروف سواء غيابات أو تغيير المدير الفني، وسنعمل على الفوز”.

واختتم أمير مرتضى: “الظروف الصعبة هي التي تجعل المدير الفني يبحث عن حلول غير تقليدية، لكن الظروف العامة أثرت علينا بشكل عام، منذ 3 مواسم لم يحصل الفريق على راحة”.

يذكر، أن مباراة القمة بين الأهلي والزمالك ستجمع بينهما ضمن لقاءات الدوري المصري مساء يوم الأحد المقبل 19 من يونيو الجاري.

Some Liverpool supporters have hailed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s performance against Osasuna, as the Reds finished pre-season in style.

Jurgen Klopp’s side were excellent against the La Liga side on Monday night, easing to a fully-deserved 3-1 victory. It was Liverpool’s last pre-season friendly of the summer, with the real football getting underway on Saturday as the Reds open their Premier League campaign at Norwich City.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359326”]

The Osasuna game saw a number of players shine, from Ibrahima Konate at centre-back to Kostas Tsimikas at left-back and Takumi Minamino and Roberto Firmino in attack.

Another who also impressed greatly was Oxlade-Chamberlain, who looked full of energy and almost scored a stunning long-range effort in the first half.

Klopp claimed that the midfielder was “on fire” after the game and it wasn’t only the Liverpool manager who recognised the influence he enjoyed.

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Liverpool fans laud Oxlade-Chamberlain

Sky Sports named Oxlade-Chamberlain as their man of the match, while these Reds fans took to Twitter to heap praise on the midfielder following his “outstanding” display.

“Oxlade-Chamberlain showed signs of returning to form, tonight. Bags of energy, relentless pressing and always looking to attack. Just needs a bit of luck fitness-wise”

Credit: @BenWebbLFC

“Really dynamic performance this from the Oxlade”

Credit: @RobGutmann

“Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain wants a starting spot against Norwich and does not care if you know it”

Credit: @karlmatchett

“Oxlade-Chamberlain really lively tonight. So much drive going forward and offers something different as a direct goal threat from midfield. Can make such a difference when he’s at it”

Credit: @_lfcleanne

“Oxlade-Chamberlain my Man of the Match, outstanding. More performances like that this season along with Naby continuing his pre-season form and we’ll be sound. Leighton Clarkson (Xabi Alonso) looks a real player. Got an eye for a pass and plays it quickly. Boss watch that game”

Credit: @decayingcactus

“Oxlade Chamberlain is going to be very good this season!!! Can’t wait to see him balling at the PL with Liverpool”

Credit: @_FootballTwts

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been reacting to a fresh transfer rumour. Read more here.

Ahead of what has suddenly turned into a critical final, for Pakistan at least, the pressure on Shoaib Malik and Geoff Lawson has been cranked up by the PCB even further

Osman Samiuddin14-Jun-2008
The future is uncertain for Geoff Lawson and Shoaib Malik © AFP
Ahead of what has suddenly turned into a critical final, for Pakistan at least, the pressure on Shoaib Malik and Geoff Lawson has been cranked up by the PCB even further. Cricinfo has learnt that the performance of captain and coach is under intense scrutiny; though heads are unlikely to fall should Pakistan lose to India in the Kitply final in Dhaka, the Asia Cup in Pakistan later this month has been set as a deadline of sorts for Lawson, as well as Malik.The development follows a scathing email Nasim Ashraf, chairman of the board, sent to the team management in the aftermath of their 140-run defeat to India earlier in the week – their heaviest defeat ever to the arch-rivals.The match was Pakistan’s first proper test of the year, coming on the back of series against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. In the email, which was leaked to the press, Ashraf blasted the team strategy, their body language, the wicketkeeping and various other aspects of the performance.Senior board officials echoed the concerns, telling Cricinfo that the Asia Cup is likely to be the last chance for the Lawson-Malik combination to prove themselves. “There should be pressure on them both, not just Lawson,” one official vented to Cricinfo.”Malik is not doing his job. His team selection is way off. To give you one example, everyone knows we are struggling with openers. Instead of picking a pair of specialists and grooming them, he insists on using Kamran Akmal, who is patently the wrong choice. His ‘keeping is so poor he shouldn’t be in the team anyway.”Akmal has had a miserable couple of years behind the stumps, shelling chances in every country he has played in. On Tuesday, he dropped Virender Sehwag, though he tried claiming the catch, an act which earned the wrath of Ashraf. Malik has publicly backed him through his tenure, even going to the degree of calling him the second-best wicketkeeper-batsman in the world after Adam Gilchrist.Malik’s own tenuous position in the team is also the subject of another official’s ire. “The captain doesn’t realise his place in the team is as an allrounder. He saves himself from bowling; he is not a specialist batsman and he must bowl. If he doesn’t, then he has no place in the team.”Though criticism has swirled around Lawson almost since he arrived, this is the first time any board official has actually put down a deadline. Lawson was appointed on a two-year contract last year, but time is now running out.”We have decided to give him till the Asia Cup,” the official said. “If Pakistan doesn’t do well there, he will be gone. He has been very, very unimpressive since he came. As an ex-bowler, he hasn’t even been able to resolve the issue of extras and has done little else for the side. Players are not happy with him and we aren’t either.”Ironically, Lawson was thought to be the players’ choice at the time of his appointment, his seemingly ‘softer’ approach winning him the nod over the sterner Dav Whatmore. Since he succeeded the late Bob Woolmer, Pakistan have lost Test and ODI series to South Africa and India. He has also had run-ins on several occasions with the selection committee and though he had the chairman’s backing until recently, that support too, it is believed, is now gone.

© CricInfo The Indian performance at Headingley has been nothing short ofmagnificent

Erapalli Prasanna27-Aug-2002
© CricInfoThe Indian performance at Headingley has been nothing short ofmagnificent. With the team playing as a unit at last , theystunned their critics and supporters alike on their way to one ofthe most famous wins in Indian cricket history.The seeds of this win were possibly sown at Trent Bridge wherethe Indian batsmen came up with a commendable display in the face of relentless pressure to eke out what might possibly turn out to be a series-defining draw. Sourav Ganguly had presciently observed after that Test – and he was a brave manto voice those thoughts at that point of time – that the “great escape” had opened up the series.He and his team-mates proceeded to prove precisely this atHeadingley. The right beginning was made when the Indian thinktank ensured that the best combination took the field onThursday. Playing Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, despiteHeadingley’s reputation of being seamer-friendly, was a wise moveand as later events proved it played a more-than-significant rolein ensuring a series-levelling win.Backing his reading of the pitch and the conditions, Ganguly madeyet another vital decision after winning the toss – he elected tobat despite the overcast conditions. This possibly took theEnglishmen by surprise, for their new-ball bowlers were soonspraying the ball all over the place. Seizing the opportunitythat their waywardness presented, Sanjay Bangar and Rahul Draviddisplayed praise-worthy application to fashion a 150-plus secondwicket partnership that laid the platform for a mammoth Indianfirst innings total.Bangar’s grittiness and resolve during the stand was impressive.As for Dravid, it was one of his finest knocks. He came in whenthe conditions were heavily loaded in the favour of the bowlersand his determination and application showed the way to theremaining batsmen.The scintillating partnership between Sachin Tendulkar and SouravGanguly that followed firmly wrested the initiative and musthave rattled the Englishmen no end. Tendulkar’s 30th Test ton wasa true milestone – it went on to play a major role in ensuringone of the most impressive Indian Test wins ever.After the batsmen had done their job in the most glorious fashionpossible, it was the turn of the bowlers to came to the party.Summoning their best when it was most needed, they maintained agood line and length for once and dismissed England for a cheapscore in the first innings. In the second innings too, they madea promising beginning and exercised almost complete mastery overthe early batsmen. It was only when Nasser Hussain and AlecStewart got together that they seemed to lose the plot.
© CricInfoAnil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, in particular, gave theimpression that their primary objective lay in restricting thescoring-rate. It was a baffling ploy to say the least, for theirbest chance in earning a wicket lay in tempting the batsman intoinjudicious strokeplay. Fortunately, Hussain’s dismissal on thefifth morning meant that the spring was back in the steps of theIndian bowlers. With Stewart too following soon after, theEnglismen were quick to wilt. The innings and 46 runs victorywhich ensued was just reward for what was a true team effort fromthe Indians.Now, the caravan moves on to the Oval where my illustrious teammate Bhagwat Chandrasekhar engineered one of the greatest IndianTest wins in 1971. I am sure that 31 years on, a confident Indianteam, with due help from their excellent spin duo, would be ableto ensure that history repeats itself.