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Dale Steyn will undergo a fitness test ahead of South Africa’s match against Netherlands in Mohali on Thursday

Firdose Moonda in Mohali02-Mar-2011Dale Steyn was among three South African players to pass fitness Tests ahead of the game against Netherlands on Thursday. JP Duminy and legspinner Imran Tahir were the others.Steyn injured his side after colliding with Graeme Smith during a football match during the team’s warm up in Delhi on Sunday. Duminy had a lower back spasm and Tahir was suffering from a respiratory tract infection which is said to have cleared.With the Mohali pitch likely to offer more for the seamers, there was speculation that South Africa would not go in with three spinners, as they did for the first match against West Indies. Tahir, in particular, was earmarked as the bowler to be rested, especially after falling ill. van Zyl indicated otherwise, saying that Tahir made an effort to adjust his follow through after he was warned for running on the pitch in Delhi. “We worked with him yesterday and we will do a bit more work on it today. It doesn’t seem like it’s a huge thing and it won’t have any great effect on the way he bowls.”Dale Steyn was one of three South African players to undergo fitness tests ahead of the Netherlands fixture•Getty ImagesIf Tahir plays, it may mean no space for the two left-armers, Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Wayne Parnell, both of whom missed out on South Africa’s first match. van Zyl said he is not allowing himself to be persuaded into leaving out some of his big-name players, irrespective of the fact that South Africa are playing an Associate team. “If you underestimate your opposition it may become tempting to do that,” he said. “They are an opponent like any other and we are approaching them in exactly the same way.”The respect South Africa are treating the Netherlands with is a reflection of van Zyl’s attitude towards the Associate teams. Even though the ICC plans to shut them out of the World Cup in 2015 and cut the tournament down to 10 teams, van Zyl thinks they add value to the global showpiece. “I think they need to be here. It’s important for world cricket.”Left-arm spinner Pieter Seelaar caught the eye of van Zyl who described him as a “very good bowler” and said the attack in general “bowls well wicket to wicket.” However, like many others, he feels their batting is their strength. “They have some really good batsmen. We saw how Ryan ten Doeschate performed against England.”Even though that batting line-up was reduced to 115 against the same West Indian side South Africa put to the sword, van Zyl said a big victory is not on his mind at all, and he wants his men to simply get the job done. “Our goals are not much more than winning the game.”

Perhaps unsurprisingly after the side has been rolled for 45 in a Test match tensions remain apparent at the top of the New Zealand management structure

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Jan-2013Perhaps unsurprisingly after the side has been rolled for 45 in a Test match, tensions remain apparent at the top of the New Zealand management structure with John Buchanan, the director of cricket, admitting to a difficult relationship with chief executive David White which stemmed from the controversial demotion from the captaincy of Ross Taylor.Buchanan, who joined New Zealand Cricket in April 2011, had not spoken to the media since Taylor was dumped as captain following the Sri Lanka tour and is not in South Africa. He has been monitoring events from Australia before heading back across the Tasman to resume his duties watching domestic cricket and scouting for talent.A host of former New Zealand players, led by the vocal Martin Crowe, have been severely critical of the change of captaincy and the way Taylor, who opted out of the South Africa tour, has been treated. Neither has Buchanan agreed with everything but is hopeful of improving the situation with White.”It can be frosty at times, but he’s got a job to do, as I have,” Buchanan told the . “We certainly don’t always meet eye-to-eye, there’s no doubt about that. But I am very confident he gives me every possible support he can and takes my views and represents them quite candidly to the board.”He also said his relationship with the coach Mike Hesson had “received a bit of a road bump” due to events in Sri Lanka but he has spoken to Hesson since the defeat in Newlands to offer his support”I’ve always let it be know to Mike that I’m available,” he said. “I’m not one that really wants to spend every moment ringing or intruding into the coach’s domain. Having been a coach myself, I know there are good times, and there are times when you need to talk to people.”Buchanan retains the belief that there are players available to turn New Zealand’s fortunes around and that he does not have any second thoughts about his job.”It’s a a fantastic role,” he said. “That’s why I took on the job and I still say that. I still maintain the opportunities in New Zealand Cricket are immense, in terms of what could be achieved in a short period of time – provided we all get on the same page.”

England have named a full-strength squad for the first warm-up match of their Ashes tour, a three-day game against Western Australia in Perth, with Graeme Swann and James Anderson included after recovering from injury

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Nov-2010England have named a full-strength squad for the first warm-up match of their Ashes tour, a three-day game against Western Australia in Perth, with Graeme Swann and James Anderson included after recovering from injury.Anderson suffered a cracked rib during the team’s pre-tour preparation camp in Germany, while Swann bruised a thumb earlier this week after being struck by a rising delivery from Tim Bresnan while batting in the nets.”We are obviously going to try to give the guys who are going to be in the Test XI as much cricket as possible,” said captain Andrew Strauss. “But there are still one or two places up for grabs in that team.”England’s second warm-up game is against South Australia in Adelaide, and their preparations ahead of the first Test in Brisbane on November 25 may also include resting their first-choice bowling attack for the third warm-up, against Australia A in Hobart. It emerged last week that England are intending to send their likely Test attack straight from Adelaide to Brisbane in order to allow them to acclimatise to the sub-tropical conditions of Queensland.”That was one of the options we are looking at,” said Strauss. “But nothing is clear enough for us to be able to say that categorically at this stage. I’m not 100% sure what the Test attack is going to be. Also, you may have guys who need another bowl or might be struggling with injuries. So for that to be said at this stage is jumping the gun.”We definitely want our bowling attack to be as acclimatised as possible to Brisbane. If we have an opportunity to do that, we’ll do it; if we don’t, then we won’t. I’m looking at giving our best XI as good a preparation as possible. Maybe one or two that don’t get as much cricket as they would like, I am sure they’ll understand the reasons for it.”England’s preparations in Perth stepped up in intensity with a four-hour inter-squad practice match in 36-degree heat on Wednesday, and Ian Bell welcomed the increased workload. ”It’s completely different practise really,” he said. “It’s more about getting out there in the game situation, not about how many balls we’re hitting.”It’s just about getting back into game-mode. I think we got about 50 overs in the field between us and that’s nice coming into Friday. All the talk that the WACA’s wicket is getting quicker and quicker again is obviously good [ahead] of going to Brisbane with a bit more pace and bounce. For us, it’s a great place to prepare.”England will be familiar with certain members of the Western Australia team they will face from November 5, although Mike Hussey, Shaun Marsh and Mitchell Johnson are away on national one-day duty with Australia, but one player they won’t have seen before is Michael Hogan, the 29-year old right-arm seamer. Mickey Arthur, Hogan’s coach at the Warriors, believes Hogan “will trouble any batsman when he gets it right””He’s a quality performer and he’s bowled superbly well all year,” Arthur said of the 195cm fast bowler. “I expect him to trouble any batter. He’s the type of bowler – and I said this to him the other day – that wouldn’t be out of sorts at international level.”England squad Andrew Strauss (capt), Alistair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Ian Bell, Matt Prior (wk), Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Steven Finn, James Anderson, Eoin Morgan, Chris Tremlett

As per The Daily Mail, Tottenham Hotspur. and by extension their manager Antonio Conte, are eyeing a brand new centre-back target in Atletico Madrid defender Mario Hermoso.

The Lowdown: Spurs plan ‘top summer priority’…

The Lilywhites have a left-footed central defender firmly in their sights this summer, according to reports, as Conte seeks to strengthen his option ahead of his first full season in charge.

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Fabio Paratici is tasked with taking to the summer market and successfully negotiating these names with a transfer target list apparently drawn up already.

The Athletic claim that four major names have been shortlisted for Spurs ‘top summer priority’, which includes Joško Gvardiol, Alessandro Bastoni, Sven Botman and Nico Schlotterbeck.

The Latest: Mail make Hermoso claim…

Now, as per The Mail, a brand new target has been identified by the club and Conte in Atletico defender Hermoso – who emerges as a cheaper option to the likes of Gvardiol and Bastoni.

While the Spaniard hasn’t been a regular recently, he was in fine form beforehand according to the report, a factor which won’t deter Spurs given the impact of Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski in north London.

The Verdict: Good candidate?

The 26-year-old, valued at around £22.5 million by Transfermarkt, could move on this summer with Atletico thought to be open to selling.

Bearing this in mind, taking into account his age and experience as a title-winner, he could come as a shrewd option for Tottenham’s left-sided central defensive role next season, potentially saving funds for bigger signings in other areas of the squad.

In other news: Tottenham official dispatched as Conte eyes ’emerging superstar’ signing! Find out more here.

Enticed by the chance to revitalise Australian cricket and do it in his MCG “backyard”, Shane Warne has confirmed he will line up for the Melbourne Stars in the BBL

Daniel Brettig08-Nov-2011Enticed by the chance to revitalise Australian cricket and do it in his MCG “backyard”, Shane Warne has confirmed he will line up for the Melbourne Stars in this summer’s Twenty20 Big Bash League.Warne will play for the duration of the competition, having decided that the initial offers of a one or two-match cameo appearance, made when he was still reticent about returning to cricket after retiring from the IPL earlier this year, would not have been worthwhile.Calling himself a “young 42″, Warne said he had not yet decided whether this would be his only summer with the Stars, but was enthused by the prospect of helping attract younger generations to cricket, not least his own three children.”There had been a few offers about coming out to play and I was pretty comfortable with where I was at,” Warne told a press conference at the MCG. “But then looking back at how lucky I’d been with Australia and Australian cricket and what I’d been able to achieve at the highest level with a great group of players, when Cricket Australia started to launch the BBL, something new with all the city-based teams, it was something quite exciting.”I thought ‘if I’m going to do this, let’s do it properly’ … it is a great opportunity where I can give something back to cricket, my kids are getting older, they love Twenty20, and the MCG is a great place to play.””The MCG’s been my backyard for 20 years, there’s something special here, I love playing here, the people of Melbourne always get behind me, whether it was for the Australian team or Victoria, and the MCG was something that really swayed it for me.”Having slimmed down in recent times, and bowled well for Rajasthan in his final IPL tournament, Warne said he had little doubt he would be able to contribute meaningfully to the Stars’ campaign on the field as well as off it.”If I wasn’t confident in my own form and being part of a team I don’t think I would’ve taken up that one or two games to get whacked around a little bit, because that’s what happens in T20,” he said. “But I think I’m in such good shape at the moment, I feel excited about playing cricket and being involved in a good team.”I think I can have a significant role, whatever Whitey [Cameron White, captain] and Shippy [Greg Shipperd, coach] want me to have I’m happy to do. I wouldn’t go into playing these games without a sense of confidence in my ability that I can go out there to make a difference.”Commercial considerations were mulled over also, and it is useful for the Warne to be back playing in Melbourne when a club bearing his favourite number 23 has just been opened at the nearby Crown Casino. However he denied that money was a major fact in his return, something the Stars chairman Eddie McGuire confirmed by pointing out that the fee agreed for two games would not be growing to accommodate seven or nine matches.”It’s got nothing to do with money, if it was about money me coming and playing cricket I’d still be playing in the IPL – I retired from that,” Warne said. “This is something that I’m passionate about, something that I think is unique to Australian cricket, city-based cricket teams are something new and that enticed me.”My kids that are 14, 12 and 10 can’t really remember dad playing cricket that much, but now they might be able to remember me playing at the MCG. With the seven games there’s a salary cap and all that, so it’s nothing to do with the money, otherwise I’d be playing in the IPL still.”Warne will now be in the slightly incongruous position of playing his matches head-to-head with the national team’s Test matches against India, much as his mentor Ian Chappell did during World Series Cricket from 1977 to 1979. He maintains a sense of optimism that all cricket formats are helping, not detracting from, one another.”All the versions of the game continue to help [each other]. T20 I think has helped the whole game of cricket,” Warne said. “There’s a place definitely for Test cricket, T20 and one day cricket at the moment, just finding that right balance and not doing too much of each.”If you have to face Glenn McGrath in a couple of overs in a Test match and you needed 20 to win you’d slog him, in a T20 game you’d slog him as well, you get more confidence in all the forms of the game to smash him around. So each version of the game helps each one, and it makes all the versions more entertaining. I don’t see a conflict in that at all, I think it’ll all help together and it’ll be an exciting summer.”Inevitably, Warne was asked about his high-profile fiancé Liz Hurley, brushing off the notion that he was returning to cricket so she could watch him play in Australia, but admitted she might not be a great fan of the Stars’ green strip.”She calls them costumes that we play in,” he said. “I’m not sure what she’ll think about the green costume…”

Dimuth Karunaratne continued his good form with Sri Lanka A, making a half-century, but Pakistan A struck regularly to share honours on a truncated opening day’s play in the first unofficial Test in Galle

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Sep-2010
Scorecard
Dimuth Karunaratne, the Sinhalese Sports Club batsman, continued his good form with Sri Lanka A, making a half-century, but Pakistan A struck regularly to share honours on a truncated opening day in the first unofficial Test in Galle.Put into bat, Sri Lanka lost Lahiru Thirimanne early when he was trapped leg before by left-arm medium-pacer Junaid Khan. Dinesh Chandimal was soon caught behind off fast bowler Mohammad Talha – who played a Test for Pakistan against Sri Lanka in 2009 – to leave Sri Lanka in trouble at 45 for 2. However, Karunaratne and captain Kaushal Silva steadied the innings with a 54-run third wicket stand. Karunaratne made 51 off 84 deliveries before he was dismissed with the score on 99.Karunatratne has been among the runs of late, scoring 244 runs at an average of 81.33 in the two unofficial Tests against South Africa A. He was also the second-highest run-scorer for Sri Lanka A in the recent A-team triangular series after Tharanga Paranavitana.Only thirty overs were possible in the day with Sri Lanka finishing on 105 for 3.

Muttiah Muralitharan has said that retiring after taking his 800th wicket and helping Sri Lanka win his farewell Test, against India in Galle, was one of the greatest moments in his life

Sa'adi Thawfeeq in Galle22-Jul-2010Muttiah Muralitharan has said that retiring after taking his 800th wicket and helping Sri Lanka win his farewell Test, against India in Galle, was one of the greatest moments in his life. Murali’s 800th was the last Indian wicket in the follow-on, after which Sri Lanka chased the target of 95 without losing a wicket.”I am very happy that God has given me everything – eight wickets, a victory, basically everything. This is one of the greatest moments in my life, retiring this way,” Murali said. “I am not emotional in a way, frankly, I am happy that I have done it. I trained really hard. Even last week, I trained hard to play in this Test match and take it very seriously.”Murali had to wait and toil for his 800th wicket, that of Pragyan Ojha, but he said the landmark was just a number and achieving it was not a high priority. “Eight hundred is only a number. We wanted to get the wickets quickly. You never know in Galle, with the weather, winning the match was the important thing,” he said. “At that time I didn’t think about it, but it came in the end. I wouldn’t have minded if it didn’t come. My only scare was when Lasith Malinga had to go off the field.”I told my captain [Kumar Sangakkara] to somehow get the wickets. We knew the situation in Galle and had the match ended in a draw it would have been very sad. I badly wanted to win in my final Test. We all play for a win. At that moment we would have taken even a run out. It was hard work for the spinners. The wicket had something on it yesterday, and Malinga’s magnificent yorkers made the difference.”Murali also said that he had quit Test cricket at the right time, with Sri Lanka having younger spinners rising through the ranks. “I have played for 18 years and I thought that there are three other good spinners in the side,” he said. “They are 24-25 years old and I am 38. I thought it’s better to give them a chance. I have nothing more to achieve and I thought this is the right time.”I chose to finish my career at the end of the first Test because I know my knees are not going to last to bowl 50-60 overs. If I am there it will be four spinners and only two can play. I will be blocking the place of another young spinner.”Murali also had praise for the curator at Galle, Jayananda Warnaweera, and thanked him for helping make his farewell memorable. “Galle is one of my favourite grounds because there is always a result. Warnaweera prepares good wickets and we won the match in four days. He gave me a good farewell and the way he decorated the stadium was unbelievable.”

Aston Villa have been linked with a move for West Ham goalkeeper Darren Randolph.

That’s according to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook, and, as to be expected, a number of Villa fans have been reacting to the news on social media.

Villa have already made their first marquee addition with Philippe Coutinho joining on loan, with attentions now turning to full-backs, a midfielder and a back-up goalkeeper.

Everton’s Lucas Digne looks like he could be brought in to challenge Matt Targett at left-back, with Sky Sports’ Rob Dorsett revealing personal terms will be completed ‘swiftly’ after a fee was agreed for the France international.

Crook then claimed on Monday lunchtime that Randolph is another pending arrival at Villa Park.

The 50-cap Republic of Ireland international may arrive on loan until the end of the season to provide cover for Emiliano Martinez. Randolph, 34, is yet to make an appearance for the Hammers this season and is out of contract in 18 months.

Villa fans react

@villareport shared the news regarding Randolph on Twitter. This is what these supporters had to say in reply, with many seeing it as a shrewd move.

“Great move”

Credit: @Guirkav

“Didn’t see this happening but not surprised”

Credit: @Emi1Martinez

“Quality back up keeper. And more than willing to be sat on the bench”

Credit: @jackMalin

“Very tidy”

Credit: @JayK0165

“Very good business delighted for him. Was so good for Ireland over the years”

Credit: @DaveHin55518309

“SUIIII”

Credit: @VillaWatch1

In other news: ‘This is a shock’ – Many Villa fans ‘buzzing’ as club confirm ‘big’ news. 

Liverpool right-back Neco Williams sealed a last-gasp loan move to Fulham on deadline day, as confirmed by the club and reaffirmed by reliable journalist Neil Jones.

The Lowdown: Frenetic deadline day

The Reds ended up signing Luis Diaz in the January transfer window but they were unable to get a deal for Fabio Carvalho over the line. The 19-year-old Fulham starlet’s move to Anfield didn’t go through in time, as reports ebbed and flowed throughout a stressful deadline day.

There is still hope that the transfer can be revived, though, with a potential summer switch coming to fruition.

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The Latest: Williams joins Fulham

Although Liverpool were unable to secure the signing of Carvalho from Fulham, there was one deal between the two clubs which did go through last night. In the early hours of Tuesday morning, the Reds announced that Williams is heading to the Championship leaders on loan until the end of the season:

Jones then confirmed on Twitter in the very early hours of Tuesday that the move had gone through on time to take effect from the start of February, stating: “Neco Williams’ loan move to Fulham was finalised ahead of deadline.”

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The Verdict: Strange decision?

While Williams is well behind Trent Alexander-Arnold in the right-back pecking order – he has only appeared in seven minutes of Premier League action this season –  sending him on loan feels like a risk.

An injury to the England international could leave Jurgen Klopp having to use the injury-plagued Joe Gomez in an auxiliary role or even take a risk with the inexperienced Connor Bradley.

The hope is that Williams thrives having earned more playing time at Fulham, returning in the summer as a more polished player who can continue to mature at Liverpool, by which stage he will have turned 21.

In other news, some Liverpool fans have reacted to some key injury news. Read more here.

Brad Haddin spent his first full day as Australia’s vice-captain insisting Michael Clarke, his new master, is the right man for the top job

Peter English31-Dec-2010Brad Haddin spent his first full day as Australia’s vice-captain insisting Michael Clarke, his new master, is the right man for the top job. A new cricket leader is usually a time for celebration in this country, but Clarke’s appointment for Monday’s fifth Ashes Test at the SCG has been greeted with extreme caution.Ricky Ponting is missing the match due to a broken finger and Clarke enters the fixture in poor form and with only pockets of public support. None of that matters to Haddin, who says the team is 100% behind the leader.”He is ready to do this job,” Haddin said at the SCG. “He’d be excited about the prospect of captaining Australia and he will do a very, very good job. We’re 100% behind him and, being a good mate of mine, I’ll support him in any way I can. He deserves to be in this position … he’s the best man for the job.”Haddin, 33, said the public reaction to all the Australian players changed from week to week. However, Clarke’s rating among large sections of the community, particularly in his home state of New South Wales, has been more consistent. His lack of runs in the series – 148 in eight innings – hasn’t helped endear Clarke to the detractors and the lukewarm response adds to the pressure on the country’s 43rd Test captain.”You are one good innings away, or sometimes one good cover drive away, from the support being with you,” Haddin said. “Michael is a very strong character so things will be okay. He has got a very good cricket brain and you saw that through the T20 World Cup [when Australia made the final]. He thinks a lot about the game, he is going to do a very good job.”Haddin, who hopes his elevation is temporary, has played 31 Tests since replacing the retired Adam Gilchrist in the middle of 2008. He has leadership experience with New South Wales and gets a close-up view of the game as wicketkeeper. It will be interesting to watch how he juggles his post as one of the team’s verbal enforcers with his new responsibilities.The first aim for Australia is to show some signs of collective improvement after being thoroughly out-played in three of the four matches. The hosts are upset to have failed in their push to regather the urn – Haddin said the results were “unacceptable” – but they will aim to take comfort in a victory in Sydney.”It’s disappointing we have lost the Ashes and we are disappointed in our own performance, but you have to move on pretty quick in sport,” he said. “We have to win this Test match to make this series 2-all.”