Stuart MacGill believes it is “naïve” to think sport and politics do not mix as Australia wait to make a decision on whether to tour Zimbabwe in September. MacGill refused to go on Australia’s last trip there in 2004 and said the situation had “deteriorated enormously” since.The one-day side is due to arrive in Zimbabwe after the Twenty20 world championships in South Africa and the Australian government has expressed its concerns about touring. However, Cricket Australia can only avoid a $2m ICC fine if the decision to abandon the trip is based on security concerns.”It’s naive to think that sport and politics don’t mix,” MacGill said in The Australian. “You have to look at things from all angles and make your own mind up about the sorts of things that are important to you and that you have a bigger part to play in the world community than just on the sporting field.”MacGill, who is a Test-only player, is not in a position to boycott the tour and is unsure whether any of his team-mates are considering it. “I don’t know and I’m careful not to discuss it with anyone because I’d hate to think I’m making their mind up for them,” he told the paper. “I’m not an activist, I’m not making a stand, it’s just something that I didn’t feel comfortable doing.”MacGill made his choice in 2004 after speaking to Andy Flower, the former Zimbabwe batsman. “On an individual level, there was a lot to feel uncomfortable about travelling as a sporting team over there and so I decided I couldn’t go,” he said. “If anything, it has deteriorated enormously.”The paper reported Cricket Australia was likely to send a delegation to Zimbabwe in August. “We don’t have our heads in the sand … but we have very strict obligations under the ICC’s future tours program,” Peter Young, the Cricket Australia spokesman, said.
Bennett King, the coach of West Indies, has hit on the experience factor in both his side and India as they battle it out in the five-match one-day international series. King, with a relatively young and inexperienced squad, summed up the series as one that would rely on senior players to pull through.”Both teams rely on experience to pull through and probably are also the teams who have inexperienced bowling attacks, so that way it has been pretty similar from them so far,” King told Press Trust of India. King singled out Brian Lara’s role in West Indies’ series-levelling win at Kingston, too: “[Brian] Lara has a lot of experience and what I like about him is that he believes in taking risks. Such things add a lot of value.”King termed working with the present West Indies team as both an exhilarating and frustrating experience. “These guys are wonderful athletes. I mean, we have four or five cricketers who are exceptional in terms of movement across the ground,” he said. “And it is not just cricket, even those in rugby rate a few of our players who are better than even them. Dwayne Smith for instance is once in a lifetime athlete. He brings a lot of value to the side in the field. He is only 21, so in terms of experience he is still a puppy.”As for the bowling, King said there was room for improvement in a side he judged would stay pretty much the same for next year’s World Cup. “Edwards’ pace is down a bit but he can be a handful. Jerome Taylor can swing the ball and Bradshaw has been good but still we have some work to do in this area,” he said. “It’s more or less the key but there are a few players outside this mix who we are keeping our eyes on. But World Cup is still nine months away and things canchange.”Both King and Ramnaresh Sarwan, whose unbeaten 98 proved the fulcrum of West Indies’ innings in the previous match, stressed on the batting and sluggish pitches in the Caribbean as the reason for low-scoring contests. “We lost early wickets in Sabina Park the other day and ended up around 200. Other teams would still have gone up to 250, so that’s the area where we need to work upon,” was King’s take, while Sarwan added: “I personally feel a total of 260-270 is going to be a good total on the Caribbean pitches.”
Bangladesh have arrived for their maiden tour of England. The team landed at Heathrow Airport in the early hours of Saturday morning, and after a stopover in London they have travelled up to Cambridge where, tomorrow, they launch their campaign with a three-day fixture against British Universities.It is the start of one of the most widely overlooked Test tours in history. England’s sole focus is on the first Test against Australia on July 21, but for the Bangladeshis themselves, this is by some distance the biggest moment of their fledging Test careers. Consequently, for their coach, Dav Whatmore, it is the experience on offer, and not the results, that is of greater importance when the playing gets underway.”Success or otherwise is certainly not measured in the scoreline,” Whatmore told journalists at Fenner’s, as his team continued their acclimatisation process. “It is measured in other areas. Essentially we want to show progress and push the opposition as hard as we can, and there will be objectives both for individuals and the team as well.”Bangladesh have played 36 Tests to date, and given that they have won just once, and lost on 31 occasions – 20 by an innings – Whatmore has understandably set his sights low. “Playing on the fifth day of Test matches is very much an objective,” he added. “Being the underdogs is a reality. It is a huge challenge but along the way we have already managed to have some good times. That is probably the best tonic you can get as a coach with a developing team.”The steelier side to Bangladesh’s cricket has been on display since Whatmore came on board in 2003. They performably creditably in Australia, gave Pakistan and England several moments of discomfort, and then finally achieved their maiden Test victory in January this year, when they beat Zimbabwe in Chittagong. Soon afterwards, they came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in a tense five-match one-day series against the same opponents.”Our team is just realising the opposition is the same as us, with two arms and two legs,” said Whatmore, who added that they were looking forward to taking on some familiar faces from England’s inaugural series in October 2003. “These conditions are totally different, but it is always nice to play against an opposition you have played before to judge yourselves.””We have three or four players who in time will be stars,” emphasised Whatmore. “That is the big difference between the two teams now. Other teams already have big match-winning stars but we are still in the process of creating those.”With an average age of 22, the chances are that Bangladesh will become a force to be reckoned with within the next five years. For the time being, however, they have a chance to test their skills against a team of a similar age-group. Their opening fixture, against British Universities, ought to be an evenly matched contest, with the Universities side being captained by the young Essex batsman, Mark Pettini.
Simon Jones has been omitted from England’s 12-man team to take on Jamaica at Sabina Park, as the tour of the Caribbean begins in earnest. Jones, who arrives in Kingston this evening, was, as expected, rested until the second warm-up match against the Vice-Chancellor’s XI which begins on Friday. In his absence, Rikki Clarke has been given an unexpected opportunity to stake a claim for a second allrounder’s berth.In Jones’s absence, England have entrusted their seam-bowling duties to Steve Harmison, James Anderson and Matthew Hoggard. England’s batsmen, meanwhile, are fully expecting a traditional Caribbean welcome, especially with Jamaica’s young fast bowler Jermaine Lawson looking to regain his Test place.”You expect a bit of chin music when you come to these parts,” said Michael Vaughan. “When you go to Sri Lanka you practise against spin and when you come to these parts you practise the shorter stuff a bit more.”But Vaughan was unconcerned at the prospect of taking on the quicks. “We’re used to this sort of bowling more so than facing Murali on dusty pitches in 100 degrees heat,” he added. “It’s going to be hot out here, but the lads are generally used to facing seam and fast bowling.Lawson is the most high-profile of a below-strength Jamaican team, with many of their bigger names resting after victory in the semi-final of the Carib Beer Cup. He has taken 29 wickets in seven Tests to date, including a matchwinning haul of 7 for 78 against Australia last May. But he has since been sidelined, partly because of a back injury, and partly because of being reported to the ICC for a suspect bowling action.”We don’t know a great deal about Jermaine Lawson,” admitted Vaughan, “but he’s obviously had a bit of a rough time and he’s making his comeback so it will be interesting to see how he goes. I’m sure he will be looking to impress and get into the West Indies squad.”Jones aside, England have named something approaching their first-choice XI, with the first Test due to begin at this very venue on March 11.Jamaica 1 Brenton Parchment (capt), 2 Bevon Brown, 3 Shawn Findlay, 4 Danza Hyatt, 5 Lorenzo Ingram, 6 Dwight Mais, 7 Matthew Sinclair (wk), 8 Evon McInnis, 9 Donovon Pagon, 10 Mario Ventura, 11 Jermaine Lawson.England XII 1 Michael Vaughan (capt), 2 Marcus Trescothick, 3 Mark Butcher, 4 Nasser Hussain, 5 Graham Thorpe, 6 Andrew Flintoff, 7 Rikki Clarke, 8 Chris Read (wk), 9 Ashley Giles, 10 Steve Harmison, 11 James Anderson, 12 Matthew Hoggard.
South African provisional 24-man Under-19 squad to tour England in 2003This squad will be reduced to 15 after a training camp in May 2003.Easterns – Jaco Booysen – Right-hand batsman Western Province – Ryan Canning – Wicket-keeper, Right-hand batsman Western Province – Andrew Cronje – Right-hand batsman; right arm medium Free State – Rieel de Kock – Right-hand batsman; Leg-spin Northerns – Abraham de Villiers – Wicket-keeper, Right-hand batsman Western Province – Jean-Paul Duminy – Left-hand batsman Northerns – Francois du Plessis – Right-hand batsman, Leg-spin Western Province – William Hantam – Left-arm medium, Left-hand batsman KwaZulu-Natal – Imraan Khan – Right-hand batsman Northerns – Heinrich le Roux – Right-hand batsman, Right arm fast KwaZulu-Natal – Wayne Madsen – Right-hand top-order batsman Northerns – Frans Nkuna – Right arm fast Boland – Vincenco Penazza – Right-hand batsman, Right arm medium Northerns – Aaron Phangiso – Left arm orthodox spin Western Province – Vernon Philander – Right arm fast KwaZulu-Natal – Tyron Pillay – Leg-spin Easterns – Brendan Reddy – Right arm fast, Right-hand batsman Boland – Waylin September – Left arm orthodox spin KwaZulu-Natal – Darren Smith – Wicketkeeper KwaZulu-Natal – East Springer – Right-hand batsman Eastern Province – Craig Thyssen – Right arm medium Free State – Thandi Tshabalala – Right-hand batsman Gauteng – Vaughn van Jaarsveld – Left-hand batsman Free State – Divan van Wyk – Left-hand batsman Coach: Dave Nosworthy Assistant coach: Nqaba Matoti Manager: Morgan Pillay
Somerset Sabres entertain Gloucestershire Gladiators in the Norwich Union National League at The County Ground tomorrow.Somerset Coach Kevin Shine is only too well aware of the importance of the match for his side after they lost disappointingly against Nottinghamshire Outlaws at Trent Bridge last weekend.”This is a big game for us, a local derby in front of a large crowd, and it’s on Sky television,” the coach told me on Saturday morning.The last time the two sides met in a one day match was at Taunton on May Day Bank Holiday Monday, when Somerset were the victors. On that occasion Gloucestershire were without Mark Alleyne and ‘Jack’ Russell, and their return to the team will no doubt add an edge to the fixture.”The squad will be the same as we had at March against Cambridge on Wednesday,” the coach said and went on. “It’s very likely that Jamie Grove, who bowled beautifully on Wednesday will retain his place and play on Sunday.”
Chelsea are now “ever-present” alongside Manchester City in the race to sign a teenage star who could cost over £50m, according to reports.
Maresca "happy" after "worst 48 hours" at Chelsea
It was only a few weeks ago that Chelsea found themselves in the title picture. It seemed for a moment that the Blues were Arsenal’s closest challengers, having impressed in a 1-1 draw against the Gunners with 10 men. Following a run of one win in three Premier League games, however, they’ve been sent hurtling back down to reality.
Enzo Maresca also handed reporters an unexpected clue about behind-the-scenes problems after victory against Everton last time out, only making matters worse.
Since then, the Italian has been at the centre of much speculation, but told reporters that he’s “happy” after Chelsea defeated Cardiff City to reach the last four of the Carabao Cup.
The Chelsea boss, following a tough week, said: “I said many times in many press conferences, the support, they have always been there, knowing that any supporters in the world when you don’t win, they are not happy.
“So in some moments when you don’t win games, they have been not happy, but it’s normal. But overall, the fans have always been there.
“I just said that these are the kind of games that I fall in love even more with the players because you cannot imagine how easy it is to slip, to slide, because they are tricky games.”
For the time being at least, it seems as though BlueCo can turn their attention back towards the transfer market and away from any new potential manager.
Chelsea "ever-present" in Honest Ahanor race
As reported by TeamTalk, Chelsea are now “ever-present” in the race to sign Honest Ahanor from Atalanta after sending their scouts to watch the 17-year-old in action.
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BlueCo are reportedly admirers of the teenage star, who has also attracted the interest of Newcastle United, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United to spark a fierce Premier League race.
A versatile defender who can play left-back, centre-back and even left-wing, Como scout Ben Mattinson described Ahanor as an “aggressive” player back in May.
Fewer touches than Jorgensen, 80% duels lost: Maresca must drop Chelsea flop
It was a terrible night at the office for the Chelsea flop, who now has to be dropped by Maresca.
ByJack Salveson Holmes
The Atalanta star is certainly one to watch, but won’t come cheap for the likes of Chelsea. Reports have claimed that whilst he is happy in Italy, an offer of around €60m (£53m) could force Atalanta’s hand next year.
Chelsea flop is now looking like a more pointless signing than Gittens
On a roller coaster day at the Wankhede Stadium, where fortunes kept swinging from one side to the other, North Zone managed to grab a slight advantage with a 66-run lead. Siddharth Trivedi left North reeling at 97 for 4 with an incisive spell of seam bowling before Rajat Bhatia and Yashpal Singh added 128 for the fifth wicket to steer them out of trouble. Another mini-collapse left North on par with West before VRV Singh and Ashok Thakur charged them to a valuable lead.The drama started with the first ball of the day. Trivedi had Aakash Chopra edging to third slip before he prised out Karan Goel for a duck in the same over. In a blink, North were limping at 53 for 2. Cue Shikhar Dhawan and Mithun Manhas, to try and start the repair job.Trivedi continued to move the ball both ways while the other bowlers maintained the pressure with a disciplined bowling performance and eventually, the pressure started to tell. Dhawan fell trying to cut Trivedi and Manhas, trying to be aggressive, nicked a loose drive behind and North were struggling at 97 for 4.In walked Bhatia, who had scored a century in the Ranji Trophy final to save Delhi from a precarious position, and he proceeded to repeat the rescue act here. The pair of Bhatia and Yashpal started off in an uncertain manner, playing and missing quite a lot. Sandeep Jobanputra was the unlucky bowler as he went past the outside edge, especially Yashpal’s, on many occasions. Slowly, as the sun came out and the wicket lost its sting, they prospered. Bhatia was strong on his legs, whipping anything full through midwicket while Yashpal started to connect with his drives.The second session belonged to North as the pair pulled away before Parthiv Patel, West’s captain, got into the act. With seven men on the leg side, he told Rakesh Dhruv to bowl from over the wickets to an outside-leg-stump line, tempting the batsmen to go inside-out to the offside. After resisting initially and padding away those deliveries, the pair started to go for the shots and it led to Yashpal’s dismissal. He went down the track and heaved straight to mid-off. Dhruv went on to induce a nick off Uday Kaul.The new ball got rid of Amit Mishra, Bhatia, top-edging a hook, and Vikramjeet Malik in quick succession leaving North at 274 for 9. With the scores level, VRV swung his bat merrily while Thakur played conservatively to push the scores along. The field spread out and VRV wisely started to pick singles and the lead crept past 60 before he was stumped off Dhruv.Wasim Jaffer and Sahil Kukreja saw out two patient overs to finish the day with West 2 for 0.
Ireland are now the tenth-best one-day team in the world, according to the latest ICC ODI rankings announced on Sunday. They are now ranked above Zimbabwe, who have won only one of their last 19 ODIs, and Kenya.Ireland became eligible for inclusion in the rankings courtesy of their World Cup wins over Pakistan and Bangladesh. Under the ICC’s rules, an Associate has to beat two Full Member countries – as well as meeting other criteria – to be included.Australia’s streamroller ride in the World Cup means that they remain at the top of the pile, ahead of South Africa, who briefly usurped them on the eve of the competition.ICC ODI Championship
Stuart Clark has revealed his disappointment at being dropped from the Australian Test side, after he played a vital role in their emphatic whitewash in South Africa.Clark, who it is believed had asked for a break from the one-day series to spend time with his pregnant wife, stated clearly that he was available for the selection for the second Test at Chittagong. But Australia decided to play three spinners in the game and go with Jason Gillespie ahead of Clark, who had been their best bowler against South Africa with 20 wickets in the three Tests.”I am disappointed to have missed out,” Clark was quoted as saying in . “I said I was available for the whole match, no matter what the circumstances. They chose the team, I wasn’t in it, and I only came home once I knew I wasn’t picked. I had a bit of a chat with the selectors over there, but I didn’t really get into why I wasn’t picked. I’ll find out more later on.”Merv Hughes, the traveling selector, reasoned that Gillespie was chosen because of his good performance in the first Test and his experience in subcontinental conditions. Gillespie, of course, made a historic double-hundred in the game, posting the highest score by a nightwatchman.”I had spoken to some people about coming home if things got close,” Clark said, referring to the imminent birth of his first child. “They wanted to play three spinners, I guess. I’m not sure about the selection, I haven’t looked into that.”