Chris Gayle, the West Indian opener, has been passed fit for the third Test against England, which starts on Thursday at Old Trafford. Gayle had damaged a rib muscle while fielding against MCC on the first day of their three-day tour match at the Racecourse Ground. Gayle took no further part in that match and there were question-marks over his availability for the third Test.Gayle’s recovery is good news for a West Indian team which has been plagued by fitness worries on this tour. Ramnaresh Sarwan has already been ruled out of the rest of the series with a shoulder injury, Shivnarine Chanderpaul sat out of the second Test because of a knee problem, while fast bowler Ravi Rampaul hurt his groin while bowling against MCC and will miss the third Test.Gayle has been in patchy form on the tour so far, with scores of 30, 47 not out, 11 and 13 in his four Test innings. In his five previous Tests in England, Gayle averaged more than 44, with four 50-plus scores in nine innings. West Indies won’t mind him replicating that form through the rest of this series.
After leading England to a convincing victory over Sri Lanka in the second Test at Edgbaston today, and hitting the winning runs, Andrew Flintoff paid tribute to Kevin Pietersen whose 142 in England’s first innings set them up for victory.”The difference between the teams was KP’s knock,” Flintoff said. “Whoever saw it witnessed something special – who knows how good he can be? He is something really special, I don’t think that’s a secret.”He’s only played a handful of Test matches and in that short time he’s got better and better,” Flintoff said. “I’m going to be excited to watch and play with Kevin over the next few years and see how his career unfolds. Hopefully, in years to come, people will be talking about finding a ‘new Kevin Pietersen’ and talking about him in the same breath as the likes of Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar.”Speaking of the win, Flintoff said: “It was a comfortable in the end, but hard-fought as the wicket probably suited them more than us.”I bowled more overs than normal in the last Test because I try to bowl to the circumstances,” he said. “This pitch wasn’t my type of pitch; it suited Matthew Hoggard and Liam Plunkett better, those bowlers who hit the surface and move the ball around.”Though the margin of six wickets appears comphenesive enough for England, they were made to work hard all day. Liam Plunkett earlier wrapped up Sri Lanka’s innings in a hurry and, with figures of 3 for 17, put his name forward for the final Test at Trent Bridge. England could yet recall Steve Harmison, who last week returned to bowling in a Championship match, for Friday’s Test meaning there will be just one available place between Plunkett and Sajid Mahmood.Meanwhile, it is expected that the England captain, Michael Vaughan, will finally return to competitive cricket tomorrow for Yorkshire’s clash against Scotland. Commenting on the news, Flintoff was delighted but confirmed that his role as stand-in captain is very much a short-term solution.”It’s been fantastic doing the job as England captain,” he said, “but it’s a temporary job – he [Vaughan] is the one who’s taken the side forward in the past three years. Maybe further down the line if the job became available I’d be interested. But with Michael back I can just get back to my day job.”
The Pakistan Cricket Board has renewed the central contracts of all 17 national players for another year.Pakistan’s top 17 cricketers were given a monthly salary of around $1,200 to $3500 under the first-ever national contracts introduced last year which expired after the team’s West Indies tour earlier this month. But contracts of all unfit players or those under scrutiny for illegal bowling actions would be reviewed after six months.Shoaib Akhtar, who missed both West Indies and Indian tours due to fitness problems also got a renewed contract, ending speculation he could be dropped from the list of contracted players. Akhtar was the last player to sign the contract after he raised certain objections over personal sponsorship.Inzamam-ul Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Abdul Razzaq, and Akhtar were offered A-category contracts and received a monthly salary of 200,000 rupees (around $3,500). Players in the B category got 125,000 rupees (around $2,100 dollars) while players in the C category received 75,000 rupees (around $1,200) a month.The contracted players were judged by points scored on their performance in international matches. “The committee has also decided to add some more points, like five points will be given on scoring a century in a Test or one-day match,” said a spokesman.A bowler will get five points on getting five wickets in a Test or four wickets in a one-day match while a fielder will get the same number of points on taking four or more catches in a match, he added. “Achieving a world record in any form will give a player ten points while five points will be given on achieving national record in any form.”The renewed contracts start from July 10. The Pakistan team now has a lay off until late October when they host England for three Tests and five one-day games.
Another riveting day of Test cricket ended with all three results still possible: South Africa needed 152 to pull off a win and level the series, New Zealand needed seven wickets to wrap up a 2-0 win, while the inclement Wellington weather – which delayed the start of play by 90 minutes today – meant that there was a chance of rain ruining what could be a fascinating finish to the series.In keeping with the trend throughout the last two Tests, the fourth day’s play witnessed many ebbs and flows. Chris Cairns and Scott Styris snatched the initiative in the morning session with some blazing strokeplay, adding 50 in just 30 minutes. Then, both fell in successive overs as the pendulum swung back in favour of South Africa. Chasing 234 for victory, Herschelle Gibbs and Graeme Smith started off in a hurry, before Chris Martin, yet again, pegged South Africa back.Getting appreciable swing with the new ball, he forced Gibbs to steer one to Stephen Fleming at first slip (29 for 1). Gibbs was in ominous touch, creaming a couple of gorgeous cover-drives and an astonishing front-foot pull for six off Martin, on the way to a 12-ball 16. Then, Martin uncorked an absolute jaffa to nail Jacques Rudolph – scorer of 154 not out and 93 not out in his last two Test innings – for a duck. The ball pitched on leg, swung late, beat Rudolph’s tentative defence, and knocked off stump out of the ground. After having raced to 28 without loss in four overs, South Africa were suddenly 31 for 2.Five runs later, they had lost another wicket, as Jacques Kallis (1) was trapped in front by an indipper from Jacob Oram. Smith and Gary Kirsten then knuckled down to grind 46 for the fourth wicket. Kirsten, playing his last Test, displayed all his famed resolve and determination, and was unbeaten on a 58-ball 19, while Smith was on an assured 46.It seemed South Africa would be set a much higher target than 234 when Cairns and Styris were blazing away in the morning session. On a cold and grey morning, both batsmen lit up the Basin Reserve with some scintillating strokeplay in what could have been an awkward 30-minute session. Cairns sent out the message early in the piece, pulling Shaun Pollock’s first delivery – a gentle half-tracker at 120 kmph – over midwicket for six. He then waded into Nicky Boje, whipping two fours in an over. Styris joined in the fun, smashing a couple of off-side fours to bring up his half-century, as the lead – just 109 overnight – galloped past 150.
The lunch break gave the South Africans time to think out a plan, and they came out with one: Boje changed his line of attack to over the wicket, and bowled well outside leg stump with a deep midwicket and a long-on. It was an obvious trap, but Cairns fell for it, charging down and hoicking to leg. Martin van Jaarsveld ran around from deep midwicket and judged the catch to a nicety despite the swirling wind (198 for 6). Cairns made 41, in what could be his last Test innings.More madness followed as Styris, who had motored along to 73, fetched a wide one from Andre Nel and slapped back a sharp return catch, which was well held by the bowler (201 for 7). Daniel Vettori edged a catch to the slips off Makhaya Ntini, and when Michael Mason was run out attempting a third run to give Oram the strike, New Zealand were 224 for 9, a lead of just 205.Oram helped stretch the lead to 233 with some lusty hitting, including a pulled six over midwicket off Ntini, before he was trapped in front by Boje, who again bowled with superb control to return figures of 4 for 69.In the Boxing Day Test earlier this season, Pakistan were set a target of 274, and romped home with seven wickets to spare. Martin’s early wickets ensured that it wouldn’t be quite as easy this time around. The stage was ideal for Kirsten to come up with a typically gritty effort. With only a single in each of his last three innings, he was certainly due a big score. Would he deliver, one last time, for South Africa?
Winchester’s dreams of another trip to Lord’s in the ECB Indoor Cricket Championships were dashed by a 22-run defeat by Newport.The Hampshire champions struggled to assert themselves in the cramped Sandown Grammar School sports hall and were dismissed for 61, having restricted the Islanders to 83-5.Winchester have also failed to cling on to the South Hants Indoor League championship at Fleming Park.BAT Sports snatched the title in the final game of the season when Lymington, the overnight leaders, weresurprisingly beaten by Sarisbury Athletic.
Northants have revealed that they made an approach to former England all-rounder Chris Lewis in an attempt to lure him out of retirement.The club are currently missing fast bowler Darren Cousins, who is likely to miss the remainder of the season with a foot injury.”Chris was one of the options we looked at. Unfortunately we couldn’t come to an agreement financially,” admitted Northants’ Director of Cricket, Bob Carter.Lewis, who played 32 Tests and 53 One-Day Internationals for England, retired during the winter citing a long-term hip injury as the cause. But Carter believes that he could have still performed a valuable short-term role for Northants.”I saw him bowling in a Masters game on television and he looked good,” Carter continued. “But he would have needed to prove his fitness if we were going to take the thing further. In the event, it never came to that.”At the end of the day we can look at a short-term signing or even at getting someone in on loan. But at the same time we have other bowlers at the club and it’s a chance for them to show what they can do.”The club will be boosted by the news that John Blain will return from international day as part of Scotland’s ICC Trophy squad.
West Ham have been handed encouragement in their January pursuit of a striker, with chairman David Sullivan also ready to give him a salary increase to tempt him to London.
West Ham scour for new centre-forward ahead of January
West Ham’s desperate search for a striker to drag them clear of the relegation zone is intensifying, with manager Nuno Espírito Santo prioritising attacking reinforcements as the January window approaches.
The club’s urgency has been sharpened by Niclas Fullkrug’s impending departure, with AC Milan now set to sign the Germany international on loan after he made clear his desire to leave the London Stadium in search of regular football.
Fullkrug arrived for £27.5m just 18 months ago but has failed to make any meaningful impact, leaving West Ham scrambling to identify suitable replacements who can provide the goals desperately needed for their survival battle.
Kaio Jorge has emerged as a potential target, with reports suggesting West Ham could make a £22 million bid for the player who has impressed in the Brazilian Serie A.
The 23-year-old would provide youth and resale value, though questions remain about whether he possesses the physicality and experience to make an immediate impact in the Premier League.
West Ham also reportedly have renewed interest in Championship options, including Norwich City’s Josh Sargent and Coventry City’s Haji Wright.
Sargent is apparently valued at around £17.5m and fits the profile of a physical presence with proven domestic pedigree, but his average seven-goal return this season raises concerns about his current form and effectiveness.
Forward 'expected to complete' West Ham move as Nuno beats Wolves to top target
He’s believed to be closing in on an east London move.
ByEmilio Galantini
Then, there is Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen.
The reliable David Ornstein says West Ham have enquired about the Norwegian heading into January, with Hammers News now sharing another update this morning.
Jorgen Strand Larsen 'open' to joining West Ham next month
According to their information, The Old Gold are poised to demand around £45 million to sell their centre-forward after West Ham’s contact.
What’s more, Strand Larsen is apparently open to joining West Ham in January, and Sullivan could sway him to the London Stadium with a ‘pay hike’ to further entice him.
The 25-year-old has interest from other suitors as well, so it isn’t exactly a one-horse race, but West Ham appear to be making the most ground right now.
Strand Larsen’s form this campaign has been desperately poor, with the Norway international managing just one Premier League goal from 15 appearances after netting from the penalty spot.
He’s scored three times across all competitions in total, including two strikes against West Ham in the EFL Cup earlier this season.
In-depth West Ham transfer coverage — subscribe to our newsletter Subscribe to the newsletter for focused breakdowns of West Ham’s striker hunt — Kaio Jorge, Josh Sargent, Haji Wright and Jorgen Strand Larsen — transfer fees, fit and trade-offs explained to help you follow the club’s choices. In-depth West Ham transfer coverage — subscribe to our newsletter Subscribe to the newsletter for focused breakdowns of West Ham’s striker hunt — Kaio Jorge, Josh Sargent, Haji Wright and Jorgen Strand Larsen — transfer fees, fit and trade-offs explained to help you follow the club’s choices.
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The dramatic decline represents a stark contrast to his impressive debut campaign at Molineux, where he registered 14 goals and four assists in 35 Premier League matches, establishing himself as Wolves’ leading scorer and attracting significant interest from top-flight rivals.
Standing at 6 foot 4, Strand Larsen offers the physical presence and Premier League experience that’s been missing from their recent striker signings.
Alan Shearer has called him a ‘nuisance’ of a striker, and Newcastle were believed to be chasing Strand Larsen before ultimately signing Nick Woltemade instead.
West Ham in pole position to re-sign former star after holding talks with him
Scorecard Delhi Giants scored an easy win over Ahmedabad Rockets after being set a paltry target of 108 in Panchkula. Avishka Gunawardene was unbeaten on 55 as the Giants lost only one wicket and knocked off the runs in 15.3 overs.The Rockets struggled right from the start, losing three wickets in the first four overs. TP Sudhindra got a wicket with his first ball as Sachin Dholpure inside-edged the delivery on to his stumps. Two run-outs pegged them back further: Wavell Hinds was caught short by an alert Ali Murtaza for 5 in the third over and Abhinav Bali knocked over Murray Goodwin’s stumps in the next.The 62-run fifth-wicket partnership between Damien Martyn and Sridharan Sriram revived the spluttering innings briefly, but the run-rate remained sluggish. Martyn tried to lift the momentum as he drove and pulled Shane Bond for two fours in an over. But Bond broke the partnership when he ran out Sriram for 32 in the 18th over.Three balls later Martyn, the innings’ highest scorer, was caught off Jai P Yadav. Reetinder Sodhi hit 11 off four balls to take the Rockets to 107. His six, slog-swept over midwicket off Yadav, was the only one of the innings.The Giants raced to 66 in their first ten overs, and though they lost Monish Mishra for 18, Gunawardene was in fine attacking mode. He took medium-pacer Rakesh Patel for 17 runs in an over, which included two sixes and a four. Gunawardene also reached his fifty with a six in only 36 balls. At the end of 15 overs, the Giants needed just nine more to win, and Bali finished it off with three successive fours.With this win, the Giants have four points and are on top of the table along with Lahore Badshahs, who have played a game less.
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.”