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Shakib Al Hasan, the Bangladesh captain, has praised his team’s recovery from a loss in the opening ODI to winning the series 3-1

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Dec-2010Shakib Al Hasan, the Bangladesh captain, has praised the way his team bounced back after losing the opening ODI of their five-match series against Zimbabwe. The home side won the final ODI in Chittagong by six wickets, led by Tamim Iqbal’s aggressive 95, which included seven sixes, to take the series 3-1, with one game washed out.”We came back really hard at them, played really good cricket,” Shakib said.The Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium is among the venues for the World Cup, and Shakib was happy with the way the pitch played. “The track played really well though the outfield was slow. There was some spin later on but the batsmen handled it really well.”Along with Tamim, who recently returned from injury, Junaid Siddique was also among the runs, scoring a half-century. The improvement in the performance of the top order, Shakib said, was a satisfying development. “Our top order hasn’t been scoring runs, today they did and I’m happy about that. Our fast bowlers have bowled well in the last couple of games and the fielding has been good. Though we have dropped some catches, our body language has been good.”Bangladesh have now won two consecutive ODI series – the first being the 4-0 whitewash of New Zealand – and are faring well in their preparation of the World Cup. This year began on a poor note for them, with 14 straight losses, before a maiden ODI over England triggered a change in fortune. They take on Canada and Pakistan, in Chittagong and Mirpur respectively – days prior to their first World Cup game, against India on February 19.

Crystal Palace have had a solid start to life under manager Patrick Vieira, challenging for a top-half Premier League spot and reaching the FA Cup semi-finals, losing to Chelsea.

The former Arsenal captain has taken to Premier League management with ease and looks set to steer the side to their highest finish since 2014/2015, where they finished tenth.

What’s the word?

Building on this season’s success will require Vieira and his staff to recruit diligently and ship out players who are underperforming and surplus to requirements.

The Mirror (via Goal) has reported that Palace could be set to land £15m rated Lens midfielder Cheick Doucoure following Vieira’s meeting with the player’s agent and a bid being made.

Kouyate upgrade

He was lauded for his performance against Nice at the start of April as he was “destroying everyone” who got in front of him, leading us to believe he’d be a wise signing for the Eagles.

With Chelsea loanee Connor Gallagher set to return to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, it’s paramount the manager bolsters his midfield options for next season.

Doucoure could be an upgrade on current defensive midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate too, who will be turning 33 midway through next season.

The Mali international possess a significantly better attacking threat, with four goals scored compared to Kouyate’s one this term, however, it is the defensive attributes that are important.

Doucoure comes out on top in both tackles made and interceptions (77 and 67) compared to his potentially new teammate (57 and 44).

These stats alone prove that Vieira should be splashing the cash on the 22-year-old as it could well be a wise move in terms of thinking ahead to next term.

There aren’t many bargains to be had in today’s transfer market, with valuations and fees spiralling out of control, but the Frenchman could grab one here and he should act before it’s too late.

AND in other news, Vieira heading for disaster over “incredible” £60k-p/w CPFC gem, fans will be fuming

In an extraordinary turnaround, Central Zone have qualified for the Duleep Trophy semi-finals, after bowling out East Zone in less than a session and then chasing down the required 134 runs before tea on the fourth day

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Jan-2011
ScorecardIn an extraordinary turnaround, Central Zone have qualified for the Duleep Trophy semi-finals, after bowling out East Zone in less than a session and then chasing down the required 134 runs before tea on the fourth day. The result seemed impossible at the start of the day, with East leading by 61 runs with nine wickets in hand, and looking set to go through on their first-innings lead.However, Central’s pace trio of Uttar Pradesh’s RP Singh, Rajasthan’s Pankaj Singh and Vidarbha’s Umesh Yadav had other ideas. Pankaj sparked the collapse, taking three quick wickets, including that of first-innings centurion Ishank Jaggi, to leave East, whose batting line-up had been shortened due to an injury to Saurabh Tiwary, in trouble at 44 for 4. Yadav, who recently signed a lucrative contract with IPL franchise Delhi Daredevils, continued the destruction, getting the other first-innings centurion Manoj Tiwary for 21. Yadav and RP Singh wiped out the tail and East were bowled out for 96, having added only 72 runs in the day.It was an unexpected collapse, since both teams had scored heavily in their first innings, and Central proved that the pitch hadn’t suddenly developed demons overnight. They made light work of knocking off the required runs, losing just one wicket in the process. Openers Aakash Chopra and Mohnish Mishra made up for their first-innings failures with half-centuries in the second and Central were home with only 61.2 overs bowled in the day.Central coach Abhay Sharma praised his bowlers. “It has been a thrilling game throughout the four days. Even we did not know that such a turnaround could be possible. But the three fast bowlers bowled their hearts out in the second innings. We targeted short of a goodlength, and bowled a disciplined line. And we also held all the chances that came our way.”I must also give credit to our batsmen, especially Kaif and Bundela, who got us so close to the East Zone total. We were disappointed at conceding the lead, but I am delighted at the way we fought back.”Central will play South Zone in the semi-final, which begins on January 26.

Steven Davis’ performance for Rangers in their Premiership clash on Sunday afternoon has come in for high praise from some members of the media.

The Lowdown: Must-win game for Rangers

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men knew that only a victory would keep their slim title hopes alive, with literally no room for breathing space.

It wasn’t a straightforward afternoon for Rangers, though, with the hosts having to wait until the 50th minute for James Tavernier’s penalty to give them the lead against a resolute Dundee United outfit.

Amad Diallo doubled the lead on 78 minutes to secure the victory, duly preventing Celtic from being mathematically confirmed as champions today.

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The Latest: Davis’ performance praised

One player who clearly caught the eye was Davis, with Rangers’ official media partners Heart & Hand Podcast taking to Twitter to laud the midfielder’s brilliance on show at Ibrox:

“Davis running the show.”

Meanwhile, radio presenter Bill Young was similarly impressed, giving his assessment of the midfielder via Twitter:

“Davis majestic as always, overall good display.”

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The Verdict: Masterclass from Davis

At 37, there is no denying that Davis’ best years are behind him, but he remains a hugely talented footballer who is capable of running matches from the middle of the park.

That was certainly the case against Dundee United today, with the Northern Irishman enjoying an 88% pass completion rate, making four key passes and winning five duels and two tackles, as per Sofascore.

Davis’ current Ibrox deal expires at the end of this season, and if he is to move on over the summer, he will be remembered as a hero for the Light Blues, having won last season’s SFWA Player of the Year award.

If this is to be his final season in blue, at least he is going out with a bang with performances such as this.

In other news, Rangers are believed to be ‘keeping tabs’ on one player. Find out who it is here.

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori has asked for a reduction in the number of meaningless one-dayers, especially in extended bilateral series

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Jan-2011New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori has asked for a reduction in the number of meaningless one-dayers, especially in extended bilateral series. His statements have come at a time when the ICC is reviewing the Future Tours Program, with plans to conduct a one-day league running over four years.”Why are we playing these extended one-day series?,” Vettori told the . “What’s the point? Hopefully the ICC follows these proposals through because I’d like to have more riding on every game. The number of games needs to be reduced so fans enjoy them more again.”Despite New Zealand’s forgettable 2010 – the team won only one Test, and suffered one-day whitewashes in Bangladesh and India – and his own age, Vettori was keen on carrying on after the 2011 World Cup, where he is expected to lead the side.”I am keeping my options open [after the World Cup],” Vettori said. “It’s incredibly difficult when you make a statement, as I originally did a long time ago that I was going to give up the captaincy. I think it’s better to play your cards close to your chest and, when the timing is right and you get the right feeling about things, you make decisions from there. At this World Cup I’ll only be 32, so hopefully there is plenty of cricket left in me.”New Zealand’s on-field woes led to changes at the top, with Mark Greatbatch making way for John Wright as the team’s coach. Vettori said the rebuilding phase was made easier by the team’s familiarity with Wright.”Most of the guys have had few dealings with John, apart from the odd time he’s popped into camps under previous coaches,” Vettori said. “The feedback so far is positive. He’s passionate about cricket and is one of the few people who can make you love the game again. Sometimes it can be a long time out there in the field; it’s challenging, but he has an ability to reinvigorate that passion, even in older players.”Obviously John’s a folk hero and people respond well to any change when things aren’t going to plan. He’s even one of the few guys I imitated growing up as a left-hander, muttering a few words under my breath every ball as well.”

Tottenham Hotspur youngster Khalon Haysman will reportedly leave the club at the end of the season, according to a report published by Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Scholarship prospect

The midfielder first joined the Lilywhites’ U18s squad back in 2020 after signing a two-year scholarship deal, and following a successful spell, was hoping that he would be able to agree a professional contract with the Premier League giants once the training programme ends next month.

However, it seems like Fabio Paratici and co are currently in the process of letting the club’s second-year scholars know whether they are being released or kept, and it doesn’t appear to be good news for the 18-year-old starlet.

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The Latest: Haysman set to depart

In a new article by Football Insider, a Spurs source has told the site that Haysman has been made aware that he will be one of the players departing north London when his contract ends on June 30th.

After Paratici’s decision, the talented prospect will now be on the hunt for a new club.

The Verdict: One for the future

The maestro would have gained plenty of experience at Spurs, not just from the scholarship, but from his time in the academy side, where he has made 17 appearances across the U18s Premier League and also the FA Youth Cup this season, finding the back of the net twice, as per Transfermarkt.

Even though this news will come as a huge blow to Haysman, he has the ability to switch roles from a defensive midfielder to playing on the left-hand side in the middle of the park.

This type of versatility is rare and a very attractive trait for someone still at such a young age, so there’s no doubt that his future potential suitor is out there, but for now, it looks like he will be starting the next chapter of his career away from N17.

In other news… a Sky Sports pundit has dropped a huge Tottenham managerial claim.

JP Duminy is ready to marshal the South African middle order, especially the lower half, which is inexperienced and unsettled ahead of the World Cup.

Firdose Moonda in Bangalore17-Feb-2011JP Duminy is ready to marshal the South African middle order, especially the lower half, which is inexperienced and unsettled ahead of the World Cup. “There’s a little bit more responsibility on my shoulders and it’s something I am looking forward to,” he said in Bangalore.Duminy is only 26 years and 71 ODIs old but he is the senior batsman from positions five to seven in the South African order and the only one who can be certain of his place. Colin Ingram, Faf du Plessis, Johan Botha, Robin Peterson and Morne van Wyk are likely to be rotated in the other two places. Any combination of those players, although solid on paper, lacks a certain degree of firepower, so Duminy will have the dual role of anchoring and adding impetus.The middle order has been untested in the two warm-up games so far with only Duminy getting significant time at the crease in his unbeaten 47 against Australia on Tuesday. “I had decent time out in the middle in the previous game so I am not really worried,” Duminy said. It was an innings that started off sluggishly while both he and du Plessis struggled to settle down. The benefit of that knock is that it gave Duminy time to get his eye in and by the end of it, he was looking as classy as always.Although the warm-ups served the purpose of giving the top order a good run, it means the rest of the batsmen will have to “work behind the scenes and get ready for the first match.” Their main concern will be avoiding mini-collapses like the ones they suffered at the hands of India in the recently completed ODI series and forming the powerful finishing force that they were once renowned for. “Hopefully… the middle order can carry us through towards the back end of the innings.”It’s as unfamiliar to see a South African side struggling with impactful hitters down their order as it is to see them bring so many spinners on tour. Although they have three frontline and two part-time spinners in the 15-man squad, Duminy said the essential tenet of their bowling philosophy has not changed. “We rely on our pace attack to do the bulk of the work.” Morne Morkel was the danger man in the first warm-up against Zimbabwe while Dale Steyn was the spearhead against Australia.Quick bowlers have traditionally formed the base of the South African attack but they realised they’ll have to change their approach in the subcontinent. It has paid off as Peterson and Imran Tahir have taken nine wickets between them in the two practice matches. “Coming into these conditions we are going to need a couple of spinning options,” Duminy said.He is part of the slower bowling clutch that will hope to be the difference between this World Cup squad and those of tournaments past. “We’ll rely on the seam attack to strike upfront but hopefully our spinners can do the job in the middle as well.” Duminy said that the quicker and slower balls will have to combine well in order to make the most out of pitches that will offer something for one or the other of them. “It’s going to be a mixture of the two [seam and spin]. The pitch here at Bangalore was more seamer friendly, but in the others we’ve seen, especially when India have played, have had their spinners doing the work. It’s going to be a balance for us.”The equilibrium for South Africa has to be reached early, because the bowling is not the only thing they are juggling. They have more youth than experience, which is why Duminy will have to assume one of the senior roles, and getting the balance between the youth and the more seasoned players will be crucial. “It’s a young-looking side but it’s not necessarily a bad thing.”One of the advantages of having so many players making their World Cup debut is that they can remove themselves from the chokers label that has been attached to South African teams in previous tournaments. “We know that tag hunts us quite a bit but there are a lot of new faces in the team. Hopefully that tag won’t bother us too much in going all the way in this tournament.Duminy is one of the rookies who has not been tainted by disappointments of previous World Cup failings. He and the eleven other tournament debutants bring with them a hunger to wipe out the mistakes of the past and start rewriting the legacy South Africa leave behind. It will be a massive achievement, considering the unconventional approach from South Africa. “We’ve been putting building blocks in place before the first game and we are looking forward to the challenge.”

The comprehensive thumping of Kenya is likely to have pleased the Pakistan team management more than they will let on

Osman Samiuddin in Hambantota23-Feb-2011An entirely different proposition awaits Pakistan on Saturday but given how poorly they often start big tournaments, the comprehensive thumping of Kenya is likely to have pleased the team management more than they will let on.The only slip was the stilted start to their innings, on a pitch which did a little more than expected. But four middle-order fifties, a successful implementation of their trademark ODI batting plan (build first, blast later), the captain’s five-fer and some lively fielding made for an unexpectedly smooth start. The selection of Abdur Rehman over Saeed Ajmal, or even Wahab Riaz seemed puzzlingly defensive – Ajmal and Riaz are wicket-takers and they will need them in this campaign – but Pakistan maintained the intensity in the field they had shown in a quite electric practice session on Monday.Then the younger men in particular had thrown themselves into fielding practice, yapping away, diving and leaping around, hitting stumps, taking good catches. Keeping things at that pitch was Waqar Younis, the coach himself, screaming for catches to be taken as if they were off his own bowling, throwing gloves down in disgust at misfields, not putting up with slackers, taking time out for fresh faces and generally making sure things ran precisely to plan.It is what Pakistan’s demanding followers say they always want, even if in defeat: spirit, fight, passion and energy. “The way we practiced, we were very focused and positive and what we do there, we deliver in the games as well,” Shahid Afridi said. “We try to focus on practice sessions and don’t waste our time. The coaches are doing a great job with the fast bowlers and the senior players are helping the young batsmen.”So, despite having 300-plus to defend, Afridi insisted the team go out and defend much less. “We wanted to make a big total and when we went in, I told the team that we are defending 120, we need to fight like we are defending 120, because tough matches lie ahead.”In those tough matches the middle order will not be allowed to rebuild as freely as they did here if the start is squandered. The concern over Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez’s contributions were not so much with the score as the tentative manner in which they came: the former made a single from 18 balls.The pair has been in good form recently, scoring fluently so the sudden, sharp dip and the nature of it concerned Afridi as well. “Whether in batting or bowling you need a positive start always,” he said. “The ball was sticking to the pitch a little, so it wasn’t so easy but we need to stick to our strengths and play positively. The start is always important and I’m confident our openers will not repeat these mistakes. Shehzad and Hafeez are positive players so hopefully they will change their style in the next game.”Good starts guarantee nothing of course and nobody forgets that Pakistan’s two world titles have come when campaigns have stuttered at the beginning. Nevertheless in a week in which several big sides have made statements against associate nations, Pakistan have put in their own. “Definitely it emphasises that we are a dangerous team. It’s a good start but we shouldn’t be 100% satisfied because there is a lot of work ahead of us still.”

Dale Benkenstein led the way with an immaculate century as Durham made the most of bright sunshine and an easy-paced wicket at the Rose Bowl

08-Apr-2011Stumps
Scorecard
Danny Briggs picked up four wickets but Durham still passed 400 at a canter•PA PhotosDale Benkenstein led the way with an immaculate century as Durham made the most of bright sunshine and an easy-paced wicket at the Rose Bowl. Benkenstein made 118 as the visitors reached a highly-satisfactory 413 for 6 from 96 overs at the end of the first day of their match with Hampshire.Durham captain Phil Mustard had no hesitation in batting first after winning the toss and it proved a sensible choice. Hampshire included South African newcomer, pace bowler Friedel de Wet, and New Zealand-qualified Johan Myburgh, and they were among seven bowlers used byHampshire captain Dominic Cork.Durham never looked in any difficulty and openers Michael Di Venuto and Mark Stoneman put on 84 for the first wicket before Tasmanian Di Venuto became the first of four wickets for young left-arm spinner Danny Briggs. Di Venuto drove Briggs to mid on where Sean Ervine held the catch after making 42.Stoneman was out two balls after reaching his half century, deceived by Briggs and bowled for 51. The only batsman to miss out was England Lions prospect Ben Stokes, who scoredonly 10 before being third out at 121, giving fit-again Simon Jones his first wicket of the season to a catch by Cork.Durham’s impressive total was built around two century stands in the middle of the innings, 100 for the fourth wicket between Benkenstein and Gordon Muchall and 136 for the fifth between Benkenstein and Ian Blackwell.Hampshire had no answer as Muchall dominated the fourth-wicket stand, making a rapid 62 before driving Cork to square leg where Jimmy Adams held the catch. Benkenstein went on to reach the 35th first-class century of his career off 126 balls and went on to make 118 before he was removed.In the meantime Blackwell, who also made 62, was bowled by the tenacious Briggs at 357 but there was no respite for the toiling Hampshire attack. South African Benkenstein, his job done, gave Briggs his fourth wicket with a catch by Adams off an attempted sweep but from Hampshire’s point of view the damage was done.Benkenstein scored his runs off 154 bowls and he hit 13 fours and two sixes including a straight drive while he was in the 90s off Briggs. Even at his departure Hampshire had no escape because Mustard and Scott Borthwick added a further 45 without being parted to take their side through to the close.Left arm spinner Briggs, who took 33 wickets in the West Indian domestic competition for England Lions last month, took 4 for 127 off 26 overs. Former England pace bowler Jones, making another comeback from numerous injuries to his knee, finished with 1 for 54 while newcomer De Wet failed to claim a wicket in his 18 overs and conceded 64.

Ed Joyce and Naved Arif both scored centuries as Sussex batted through the final day to save their County Championship Division One game with Lancashire at Hove

29-Apr-2011
ScorecardEd Joyce and Naved Arif both scored centuries as Sussex batted through the final day to save their County Championship Division One game with Lancashire at Hove.Opener Joyce batted for 98 overs for his 140 runs but when he was eighth out on the stroke of tea Sussex only led by 66.Amjad Khan fell for the addition of just three more runs but Pakistan-born Arif, who is English qualified because of his Danish wife, made a maiden century in only his second Championship game, adding an unbeaten 90 for the last wicket with Monty Panesar.There were 10 overs left when the players shook hands after Arif, 29, had gone to his hundred by sweeping Steven Croft for four. Sussex closed on 455 for 9, a lead of 155.Lancashire’s hopes of a claiming their third successive win were not helped when former England seamer Sajid Mahmood had to be taken out of the attack for bowling his second beamer of the innings at Joyce just after Lancashire had taken the second new ball.With skipper Glen Chapple struggling because of a sore ankle and forced to cut his run-up, Lancashire lacked penetration on a flat pitch which offered very little for the bowlers apart from some slow turn for left-arm spinner Gary Keedy, who bowled 55 overs and took four wickets but conceded 200 runs.The visitors had looked on course when they took four wickets in seven overs at the start of the day. Having added 169 for the first wicket with Joyce, Chris Nash was bowled by Chapple’s inswinger and three balls later Luke Wells edged to slip.Murray Goodwin, who had made 113 in the first innings, was deceived in the flight as he came down the pitch to Keedy, while Ben Brown was beaten by Stephen Moore’s throw from cover after Joyce rightly sent him back when he looked for a single to get off the mark.Mahmood’s inswinger accounted for Luke Wright but Joyce found two useful allies during the afternoon session to lead the lower-order resistance. He added 43 in 15 overs with Andrew Hodd and 56 in 10 with Rana Naved, whose boisterous 32 included two sixes.Joyce, who reached the 25th hundred of his career with a boundary off Mahmood, was dropped on 104 by Peter Horton at slip and had moved onto 140 when occasional off-spinner Croft got a delivery to turn and bounce and Joyce edged to slip. The Irishman had batted for nearly six-and-a-half hours, faced 256 balls and hit 13 fours and a six.His departure seemed to signal the end of Sussex’s resistance and Arif was on 32 when he was joined by Panesar. But mixing watchful defence with some bold hitting against the spinners, Arif dominated a last-wicket alliance of 90 in 24 overs – hitting four sixes over the short pavilion-side boundary and eight fours as he made exactly a hundred off 130 balls.