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Australia have arranged for their Test-only players to join the squad early after the Twenty20 team’s quick exit

Alex Brown09-Jun-2009Australia spent their first 24 hours in World Twenty20 exile paying the price for slow over-rates and arranging for Test-only players to fly to England two days earlier than originally scheduled. On a day Ricky Ponting had hoped would be occupied with net sessions and Super Eights strategy meetings, Australia instead awoke to hollow emotions and empty schedules after their tournament-ending six-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka on Monday.The move by ICC match referee Chris Broad to fine Australia’s cricketers 5% of their match fee – and 10% for Ponting – for slow over-rates during Monday’s defeat to Sri Lanka was the final indignation of a woeful three-day World Twenty20 campaign. Lighter in the pocket, the Australians then boarded a bus for a week-long stint in Leicester, where Ponting will look to ensure the disappointment of the 20-over tournament does not corrode the squad’s Ashes preparations.Australia will not play an additional tour match during their unexpected break, but have taken the opportunity to fly Test-only players Phillip Hughes, Simon Katich, Stuart Clark, Marcus North, Andrew McDonald and Graham Manou to England two days earlier than originally scheduled to join the existing squad members. The entire 15-man touring party will gather in London next Tuesday before embarking on the first of their practice games against Sussex at Hove from June 24.”I won’t be focussing on any of the negative stuff that happened here in the last couple of days,” Ponting said. “It’s about looking at the positives we created in our Test team over the last few months. I’d love to think that none of this would linger around. It’s about creating an environment that everyone wants to be a part of when they get here. The excitement and atmosphere at the start of the Ashes is going to be tremendous, and if we can caught up a little bit in that then I’m sure there won’t be any negatives hanging around from the last few games.”It can’t hinder us, I guess, to have some more time with the red balls and the white clothing. Now that England are through to the next round they’ll obviously play this form of the game for another week at least. If there is one positive, maybe we can get some from our week in Leicester.”In all honesty, there appears little value in Australia spending a quiet week in the East Midlands at a time when two of their key players are in desperate need of constructive game time.Michael Hussey, the foundation of Australia’s middle order for the past four seasons, has yet to prove he has overcome the extended slump which prompted selectors to rest him from the recent ODI series against Pakistan, and Brett Lee was jolted in his early steps towards an international comeback. Lee conceded 95 runs in eight overs against the free-swinging West Indian and Sri Lankan batsmen at the World Twenty20, and will no doubt be looking forward to a steadier outing at Hove.Ponting, as ever, came out in support of his beleaguered players, but must surely be wary of the impact an underperforming Hussey and Lee could have on Australia’s Ashes campaign.”I know how good a player Mike is and has been for Australia over the last few years,” Ponting said. “I know that he is going to be an integral part of our Ashes campaign going forward. As a batsman, everyone goes through their ups and downs through their career. Knowing Mike the way I do and how hard he works on his game, he will certainly give himself every opportunity to have a big Ashes campaign.”We all know how good a bowler Brett can be and will be when he gets some more bowling under his belt. He’ll be a little bit disappointed with these couple of games, but it’s a really fine line – when you’re bowling as quick as he does with the new ball on these sort of wickets and these sort of grounds, if you’re just a little bit off batsmen use your pace and before you know it the ball is rocketing to the fence. Definitely he’s still working back into it. I’m sure when the first Test comes around he’ll be firing on all cylinders.”

According to Football Insider, West Ham United and GSB are prepared to sell Declan Rice for a fee of £90m as they line up a bid for his replacement.

The Lowdown: Rice in demand

After becoming one of West Ham’s star performers and playing a key role in England’s run to the Euro 2020 final, Rice is a player in demand.

Both Manchester United (ESPN) and Chelsea (The Sun) were linked with his services during the summer, but the 22-year-old stayed put at the London Stadium.

The Latest: Hammers open to Rice sale

As per this latest report, the Hammers are contemplating the possibility of selling the midfielder.

A West Ham source has told Football Insider that GSB would sell Rice for £90m and are already looking at potential replacements.

The Verdict: Sell at the right time

Rice has become a superstar with the Hammers over the past few years. Despite his young age, he has made 152 appearances for the club (Transfermarkt), and he has been vital to the rise up the Premier League table.

Unfortunately for the London outfit, he has turned down their approaches in regards to a new contract, indicating he is looking to make the next step in his career eventually.

As it stands though, he has two years left on his contract, and the Irons have an option to extend his deal for an extra 12 months. Currently valued at £63m by Transfermarkt, his potential future transfer must be timed to perfection – wait too long and the Irons could lose out on a massive deal if he does not extend his terms.

As they long as they can replace with him with a quality alternative, losing Rice for a huge fee in the near future may not be quite the gut punch it would feel like for the fans.

In other news, West Ham are interested in signing this Premier League striker.

Despite having scored more goals in the Premier League than any other team so far this season, Liverpool have managed to concede six times in their opening seven league games, more than the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion.

In the centre-back position, Jurgen Klopp currently has Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konate, Nat Phillips and Joe Gomez at his disposal.

One centre-back that Liverpool currently have out on loan is Sepp van den Berg, who is spending the season with Championship side Preston North End.

Liverpool signed Van den Berg back in the 2019 summer transfer window from Dutch club PEC Zwolle for a fee of £1.71m. Since then, the defender, who is currently valued at £2.25m according to Transfermarkt, has made 23 appearances for the U23 side and just four senior appearances.

Since arriving at Deepdale, van den Berg has made 14 appearances for the club across all competitions, managing to grab two goals in the process.

Interestingly, van den Berg, who has been described as a player with “magnificent energy” by Frankie McAvoy, has only played in the centre-back position on two occasions for Preston, both coming in the Carabao Cup.

In the Championship, the 19-year-old has been playing either as a right-back or a right-midfielder, showing just how versatile he can be on the pitch at such a young age.

Taking this into account, we feel that his versatility could well put him in a good position to return to Liverpool after his loan spell ends and potentially become a regular first-team player for the Reds at some point in the future.

Given how Gomez has only played 13 minutes of action in the Premier League so far this season, coming off the bench on two occasions, this says to us that he isn’t towards the top of the pecking order for centre-backs at the moment at Liverpool.

However, he has been a key member of the Reds in the past and has plenty of similarities to van den Berg. For starters, they are both versatile defenders with plenty of athletic traits, while crucially, they’ve now both progressed well in the Football League.

Before penning terms with Liverpool, Gomez progressed through the ranks at Charlton, an experience that has clearly played a vital part in his development.

Should the Dutchman’s progression continue, we feel that there is every chance that van den Berg could become the club’s next Gomez and even join him in the Liverpool defence.

If the teenager can prove to Klopp that he is capable of playing in numerous positions on the pitch, it will make him very useful member of the squad.

In other news: Klopp masterstroke: £50k-p/w Liverpool gem has seen value rise by £49.5m in 3 years – opinion

A clutch of handy contributions from Australia A’s batsmen helped them ease to a position of dominance by stumps on day three in Townsville

Cricinfo staff05-Jul-2009
ScorecardThere were no centuries, but a clutch of handy contributions from Australia A’s batsmen helped them ease to a position of dominance by stumps on day three in Townsville. Pakistan struck first thing in the morning to hurt Australia before they had scored a run, and then gained ground through Abdur Rehman’s double-strike, but were made to work hard thereafter. Leading Australia’s march towards safety was the opener Ryan Broad and rounding off the day in contrasting manner was Moises Henriques, whose perky innings left the hosts in a good position to push for victory.When Australia came out to bat their lead was 58. They owed much to the opener Broad, who steadily built on an overnight 22 to 85 from 217 balls. Broad lost Michael Klinger without scoring and looked on as Rehman’s spin accounted for Callum Ferguson and George Bailey in the span of six runs, but refused to budge. With his captain Cameron White he added 115 for the fourth wicket until he was bowled by Azhar Ali.”It was good fun actually, it was a good challenge, they bowled well in patches and I think that the partnership Cam White and I put on was quite an enjoyable one,” said Broad. “I feel like I’m seeing the ball pretty well, sometimes it’s more frustrating to get a start and not go on with it, than to nick one early and from that point of view it was good to go on with it a little bit further, but a little bit further again might have been nice.”White was the next to go, bowled for 67 by Fahad Masood. Instead of tightening their grip Pakistan were put on the back foot as Henriques led two counter-offensives in aggressive fashion. With Tim Paine (46) he added 101 and then with Jason Krejza an unbeaten 38 that took Australia to 6 for 358 by the close. Henriques’ unbeaten 82 from just 89 balls, with six fours and a pair of sixes, has set up an intriguing final day.

Thilan Samaraweera has been recalled to the Sri Lankan one-day international side after a four-year absence, but there was no space for Chaminda Vaas for the upcoming series against Pakistan

Cricinfo staff24-Jul-2009Thilan Samaraweera has been recalled to the Sri Lankan one-day international side after a four-year absence, but there was no space for Chaminda Vaas for the upcoming series against Pakistan. The legspinner Malinga Bandara has also been included in a 15-man squad that includes Lasith Malinga and Muttiah Muralitharan, passed fit after missing the Tests against Pakistan.Samaraweera, 32, played his last ODI in 2005 but targetted a return to the limited-overs frame during an excellent run of form in Tests earlier this year. Vaas had announced his retirement from Test cricket before the final match against Pakistan, citing his desire to continue until the 2011 World Cup, but his non-selection leaves a question mark over his future. Vaas managed just one wicket in the SSC Test and was dropped last year from Sri Lanka’s Twenty20 squad.The opener Upul Tharanga takes up a top-order batting slot with Tillakaratne Dilshan, who sustained injuries to the finger and head in the third Test in Colombo, ruled out. Chamara Kapugedera has been included after being overlooked for the ICC World Twenty20.Sri Lanka’s bowling is in sound health. While the focus has been on the return of Murali and Malinga their seamers, especially Nuwan Kulasekara and Thilan Thushara, have performed consistently. Bandara makes a return to the ODI side having played his last game in 2007.The series begins in Dambulla on July 30.Sri Lanka squad: Kumar Sangakkara (capt/wk), Muttiah Muralitharan, Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Kapugedera, Angelo Mathews, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis, Thilina Kandamby, Malinga Bandara, Thilan Thushara Isuru Udana, Upul Tharanga.

Paul Robinson has questioned David Moyes’ rumoured decision to drop Lukasz Fabianski for West Ham United’s next match.

The Lowdown: Hammers have alternative option

Fabianski is currently the Hammers’ clear number one – he has started all seven matches in the Premier League this term, while he played 35 times in the league last season (Transfermarkt).

However, as per The Athletic, the former Poland international could be replaced by Alphonse Areola for this weekend’s clash against Everton.

The Latest: Robinson questions decision

Speaking to Football Insider, Robinson, 41, who of course has plenty of experience between the sticks in the top flight, questioned Moyes’ decision:

“Really? That would be very harsh on Fabianski.

“He is a goalkeeper that has really developed in his latter years. He has turned into a really good goalkeeper. I have to be honest, when he was at Arsenal I did not rate him.

“If he was taken out of the West Ham team now I would be surprised. I can’t remember any glaring errors he has made. I think he has done quite well this year.

“Moyes realised he needed strength and back-up in that area in the summer. That is why he brought in Areola.

“I really rate Areola. I think he’s a top class goalkeeper.”

The Verdict: Harsh

As Robinson says, this decision does seem to be a little harsh. Bar some injuries, Fabianski has been solid ever since he made the move to London from Swansea City, and he was integral part of the side that finished sixth in the Premier League last time out as the Irons qualified for the Europa League.

Moyes also called him “excellent” just earlier this year (via The Irish Independent).

Areola could be a future number one for West Ham. After all, he is just 28 years of age and Fabianski is by far his senior. Slowly but surely introducing Areola to the fold more regularly may be the right way forward, starting by continuing with the Frenchman on Thursday nights.

In other news, West Ham have been joined by a Premier League club as they aim to sign this striker.

Mark Ramprakash has yet to be contacted by Geoff Miller’s selection panel, but said he would “cherish and savour” the opportunity to make a dramatic comeback in the final Ashes Test at The Oval

Alex Brown12-Aug-2009Mark Ramprakash has yet to be contacted by Geoff Miller’s selection panel, but said he would “cherish and savour” the opportunity to make a dramatic comeback for the Ashes decider at The Oval. A day after Miller told Cricinfo Ramprakash was firmly in the frame for the contentious No. 3 position after a seven-year absence from Test cricket, the Surrey batsman declared himself available for a call-up that would fall a fortnight shy of his 40th birthday.”I just think that mentally, in terms of approaching a Test match, I’m probably in the best shape I’ve ever been,” Ramprakash told the Surrey website. “I’d be thrilled like any player selected to play for England in what is now a fantastic occasion. It’s been a fascinating series, and now at the Brit Oval it’s going to be a showpiece occasion. That’s why you play the game. For any player that is selected, it’s the sort of occasion that they will savour and cherish for the rest of their careers.”I suppose (the publicity) is all a result of what happened at Headingley and not only the defeat but the manner of defeat. Of course, as England supporters we’re all disappointed with the fact that having a 1-0 lead we’ve let the Aussies back in. The speculation has probably been whipped up really through that performance. I’m no stranger to this situation. I’ve had it before when my name has been linked strongly with trips to Australia – in fact the last two trips to Australia – and also the last tour to Sri Lanka. I’ve always tried to let my performances do the talking and I believe that I’ve presented a very strong case for all those occasions and again this year. I’m happy within myself, I’m batting well and playing good cricket.”Ramprakash insists he is a far superior cricketer now to that which made a tentative Test debut against the West Indies in 1991 alongside the likes of Graham Gooch, Allan Lamb and Graeme Hick. The 39-year-old has scored 1,209 runs at 100.75 for Surrey in the Championship’s second division this season, including scores of 80 and 130 not out in his most recent match against Derbyshire. He has averaged in excess of 90 over the last four first-class seasons, and has been a dominant force at his home ground, The Oval, which will host the Ashes decider from August 20.”I’ve seen some comments and articles and I think I have to respond because people sometimes still talk like it’s 1995,” he said. “I had a very difficult start in Test cricket, there’s no doubt about that. I’ve had two careers – 1991-1997 and from 1998-onwards, where I have performed a lot better. My last Test match was in 2002 at the age of 32 and I had a difficult tour of New Zealand along with several other batsmen on some juicy pitches. But over the last few years I’ve worked very hard at my game.”I still enjoy playing with Surrey. I think as a player and a person you just keep evolving, improving and developing. I’ve completed the ECB level four coaching course, which is aimed at professional coaching and has benefited me tremendously – just knowing myself as a person and communicating with other players. I was involved for 14 weeks in a very highly pressurised reality TV show, which was something totally out of my bubble. That’s a life experience. I think if you ask anyone if they had know ten years ago what they know now then they’d all say it would have helped them a great deal.”Alec Stewart, the former England captain and current Surrey consultant, insisted Ramprakash would be a stronger candidate for the England No. 3 position than incumbent Ravi Bopara and contenders Ian Bell, Jonathan Trott, Rob Key and Marcus Trescothick.”You have to move all sentiment to one side,” Stewart said. “England’s selectors I hope will pick the best side to regain to the Ashes. Forget anything about sentiment, forget anything about looking to the future, forget anything about consistency or continuity. Go and pick the best XI that gives England an opportunity to win the Ashes.”Ramps is in my best XI. The last Test he played was seven years ago, and people are allowed to change and mature. We don’t know what Jonathan Trott will do, we don’t know what Robert Key will do. All I’m saying is that if we don’t know about people, is it not better to pick the very, very best player that we’re not sure about.”He’s a mature person. He’s comfortable. Just look at his record: he averages 91 over the last four years. It’s never been technical, he did struggle to cope with everything that was thrown at him, but he’s seven years older and he knows what a great player he is. I have no doubt that if Ramprakash is picked, he will perform.”

Lee Ryder has revealed that Wayne Rooney is keen on the manager job at Newcastle United.

The Lowdown: Rooney speaks out

Speaking to Derbyshire Live, Rooney was asked about the manager job at St. James’ Park following the departure of Steve Bruce, to which he claimed that he is ‘committed’ to Derby County.

However, he did not rule himself completely out of the running, although he said that he has had ‘no contact’ with the North East club.

The Latest: Ryder on Rooney

Writing in his latest piece for The Chronicle, Ryder has revealed that he believes Rooney is ‘keen’ on the job on Tyneside given that Bruce has now left.

He would also want to bring Shay Given with him as part of his coaching staff, a player who made a total of 463 appearance over all competitions across 12 seasons with the Magpies (‘Toon favourite’.

The Verdict: Avoid

Of course, Rooney was an absolute legend of the game as a player, winning both the UEFA Champions League and Premier League among many other major trophies (Transfermarkt), but his managerial experience is limited to just Derby and the EFL Championship.

With the likes of Unai Emery and Diego Simeone being thrown about as potential contenders for the role, unfortunately the Englishman just does not compare.

Nonetheless, the new owners need to make a statement with their appointment, and Rooney’s name certainly does not jump off of the paper.

In other news, find out which ‘incredible’ 9-trophy manager NUFC are eyeing here!

Callum Ferguson is still new to international cricket but is rapidly becoming a stable and reliable presence in Australia’s changing batting line-up

Alex Brown at The Oval04-Sep-2009The sight of Shane Watson, Tim Paine and Cameron White filling the top three positions in the Australian batting line-up had a distinctly unfamiliar feel, but not so the heavy contribution of Callum Ferguson in the middle-order. In just 15 limited overs appearances, Ferguson has established a reputation for consistency and malleability, capable of tailoring his style and tempo to requirements.In an ever-changing limited overs line-up – the result of Cricket Australia’s rotation policy, retirements and Andrew Symonds’ blood-alcohol levels – Ferguson is fast emerging as a constant. The South Australian batsman possesses a technique and temperament far beyond his 24 years, and continues to mount a strong case to be considered the nation’s next-in-line Test batsman.Ferguson’s career-best innings of 71 not out from 75 deliveries at The Oval on Friday was case in point. Upon arriving at the crease with Australia at 111 for three and suffering a recurrence of their Oval run-out curse, he patiently navigated his way through testing spells from Adil Rashid and Paul Collingwood – he required seven balls to get off the mark – before charging in the final 10 overs. The innings advanced his career average and strike-rate to 56.12 and 86.67 respectively, and prompted his captain, Michael Clarke, to note the “beauty” of his batting.But perhaps the best assessment of Ferguson’s game was delivered by a man who, prior to Friday, had never before seen him on a playing field. Andrew Strauss, the England captain, was suitably impressed by Ferguson’s Man-of-the-Match performance, which delivered Australia to a competitive, and ultimately victorious, total in his first international innings on English soil.”With Ferguson, I haven’t seen him play much before but it was just a very calm and composed innings,” Strauss said. “He took a little time to get himself in and just manoeuvred it around nicely and played some nice shots in the Powerplay at the end.”Though young, Ferguson has already displayed an impressive ability to adapt to various pitch conditions. Prior to The Oval encounter, he had posted half centuries at the Gabba, Newlands and Centurion and batted consistently against Pakistan on the dry wickets of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Similarly, he has displayed few difficulties in repelling the accurate bowling of New Zealand, the pace of South Africa and the spin of Pakistan. He appears very much the complete package.Strong off his pads and through the off-side, Ferguson also revealed an ability to improvise with a late reverse sweep to the boundary off Collingwood. He required 46 deliveries to strike his first four, but in a perfectly-timed assault, took the attack James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Collingwood in the death overs.

Wolverhampton Wanderers will look to bring a new centre-back to Molineux in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by Luke Hatfield, with the Express & Star journalist stating in a recent interview with GIVEMESPORT that he is certain Bruno Lage will attempt to bring in defensive reinforcements during the winter market, as the 45-year-old Wolves boss is currently extremely short of options in the heart of his defence.

When asked whether he thought Lage will look to sign a new centre-back in January, Hartfield said: “I’m sure of it. And I will be dumbfounded if they don’t sign a centre-back – and a quality one at that – in January, because they’re just so thin on the ground in that position.”

Lage simply must act

As Hatfield suggests, bringing in at least one fresh face at centre-back must be a priority for Wolves in January, as, following the long-term injury picked up by summer signing Yerson Mosquera, Lage has found himself with just four senior options to field in his back three.

Furthermore, with the potential of both Romain Saiss and Willy Boly being unavailable for the majority of January due to their likely participation in the Africa Cup of Nations, the 45-year-old’s options in the heart of his defence could yet be further diminished this season.

As such, should Lage have any ambition of securing a top-half finish with Wolves in the current campaign, it would indeed appear as if the Portuguese manager simply must splash the cash on a new centre-back in the winter market.

And, with The Athletic reporting that Wolves were just £10m away from signing LOSC Lille centre-back Sven Botman – a player who has been extremely impressive in recent seasons – this summer, in addition to the defender appearing more than happy to link up with the Premier League side, it would appear to be a very wise move for Fosun to bite the bullet and cough up for the 21-year-old – as he would very much be the quality addition Hatfield is referring to.

In other news: Lage could be set for huge mistake on “powerful” 5 G/A gem, Wolves fans will be fuming