All posts by h716a5.icu

A round-up of the Dhaka Premier League matches played on May 30, 2017

Mohammad Isam30-May-2017Abahani Limited landed an important blow in their title defense after they crushed Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club by seven wickets. With Gazi Group Cricketers’ match against Prime Bank Cricket Club halted due to rain, Abahani are now the tournament’s sole leaders with just two matches left.At the BKSP-3 ground in Savar, Doleshwar were restricted to 189-9 in 50 overs with seamer Abu Jayed picking up three wickets while Mohammad Saifuddin and Manan Sharma collected two wickets each. Marshall Ayub top scored for Doleshwar, making 57 off 83 balls but with just a single boundary. In fact there were only six fours and two sixes in the whole innings.Later, Saif Hassan and Shadman Islam added 132 runs for the second wicket to steer Abahani’s chase. Saif made 80 off 97 balls with nine fours and two sixes while Shadman struck four boundaries and a six in his 78-ball 65.Mohammedan Sporting Club outplayed Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club to complete a five-wicket win at the BKSP-4 ground in Savar.Batting first, Dhanmondi Club were cleaned up in 45 overs for 197, courtesy regular dismissals from Taijul Islam, Subashis Roy and Sajedul Islam. Dhanmondi’s only notable contributor was Ziaur Rahman who slammed his third List-A century, that included nine sixes and six fours. He however found little support from the other batsmen except Elias Sunny with whom Ziaur added 77 runs for the sixth wicket. Ziaur finally fell in the 39th over, having made 103 off 85 balls.Mohammedan then got off to a superb start when their openers Shamsur Rahman and Shykat Ali added 86 runs in just 13 overs. They lost four further wickets but completed the chase in 30.2 overs with Bipul Sharma slamming four sixes and two fours in his 19-ball 38.Meanwhile, the match between Gazi Group Cricketers and Prime Bank Cricket Club has now been shifted to Tuesday after rain spoilt the originally scheduled match day at the Fatullah Cricket Stadium. The rain was due to the effects of Cyclone Mora that has developed over Bay of Bengal.

Liverpool could still make a move for Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Manu Kone this summer, according to an update from Bundesliga journalist Christian Falk.

How much does Manu Kone earn?

The Reds' midfield looks set for a huge overhaul this summer, with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai already coming in as exciting signings, and James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all leaving after their respective contracts expired.

Meanwhile, doubts surround the futures of Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Thiago, following rumours of move away from Anfield, so it could be all change in the middle of the park ahead of the start of the 2023/24 Premier League season.

One player who has been linked with a move to Liverpool in the recent past is the £37,000-a-week-earning Kone, who was seen as a strong defensive target, prior to the more attack-minded Szoboszlai coming in from RB Leipzig. While talks over a move appeared to have cooled lately, a new update has breathed new life into the saga.

Are Liverpool signing Manu Kone?

Speaking to Caught Offside, Falk claimed that new Liverpool sporting director Jorg Schmadtke could look to bring in Kone this summer, depending on the severity of the injury he sustained on international duty:

"Jorg Schmadtke made clear that it won’t happen between Liverpool and Micky van de Ven. At Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp is saying what he wants in the market and Schmadkte is making plans from this.

"Schmadtke has an eye on him. So these are things in the background that Schmadtke is doing at the moment."

Seeing Kone back on the table is an exciting update to hear for Liverpool fans, with the 22-year-old someone who has been an influential performer for Monchengladbach in recent times. Last season, the Frenchman started 30 Bundesliga matches, completing 87.3% of his passes in that time and also averaging 2.5 tackles per game in the competition.

Predominantly a defensive midfielder, the youngster could provide balance in the middle of the park behind Mac Allister and Szoboszlai, and other more attack-minded options like Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott, while Southampton youngster Romeo Lavia could also come in as competition, should at least one or two of Henderson, Fabinho or Thiago leave.

Kone was described as "fantastic" and a "one-man army in midfield" by football talent scout Jacek Kulig last season, following an outstanding performance against eventual Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, and he would come in as both a regular starter from the off, and someone who could grow into a genuine force at Liverpool as the year pass, only improving as his all-round game matures.

What is certain is that at least one more midfielder is needed for the Reds in the current transfer window, in terms of bolstering the squad after big problems in the middle of the park last season, but it is starting to feel like two more would be the best outcome.

Tottenham Hotspur are targeting Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie as a possible replacement for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, according to reports.

Who will Spurs sign?

The Lilywhites have enjoyed a solid 2023 summer transfer window so far, having completed deals for goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, playmaker James Maddison and winger Manor Solomon.

Vicario, who could well succeed long-serving number one Hugo Lloris between the sticks, was an arguable bargain from Empoli at around £17.2 million while Spurs also managed to sign Maddison for just £45m.

Solomon, meanwhile, put pen to paper on a free transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk – meaning the north Londoners have spent just over £60 million – not including the permanent deal fees for Dejan Kulusevski and Pedro Porro.

Ange Postecoglou, speaking to the media recently, was left thrilled with his side's capture of Maddison in particular – having claimed the England international could provide a much-needed spark of creativity.

“Really excited to get James as part of the group," said Ange.

"Any manager will tell you that part of the key to being a dominant team is having multiple attacking threats and having a midfielder who can score and create goals.

“I thought it was a really good fit for us."

Spurs are certainly not done there, though, with Postecoglou chasing central defensive additions and potential midfield signings to replace the exit-linked Hojbjerg.

There are a fair few centre-back candidates, including Wolfsburg's Micky van de Ven, Edmond Tapsoba of Bayer Leverkusen, Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo, Lenglet, Galatasary's Victor Nelsson and Juventus defender Gleison Bremer, who have all been linked.

In midfield, the likes of Conor Gallagher have been mentioned, but journalist Rudy Galetti now says that Spurs have Ivory Coast international Kessie on their radar too.

"Tottenham are now open to evaluate offers for Hojbjerg," wrote the reporter on Twitter.

"The CM – in talks with Atleti on personal terms – could leave this summer if THFC will receive a suitable bid.

"In the list of the club as possible replacement – among others – there is also Kessie."

How good is Franck Kessie?

The £199,000-per-week midfielder featured over 28 La Liga matches last season for Barca, but he couldn't quite showcase his true ability as the vast majority came as a substitute (WhoScored).

Over the 2020/2021 season, which was arguably his best, Kessie bagged 13 goals and four assists in 36 league starts for AC Milan (WhoScored).

Form like this attracted praise from Spurs pundits like former keeper Paul Robinson, who claimed late last year that Kessie would be a great fit for Tottenham.

"Kessie would fit the bill," said Robinson to Football Insider.

"He is strong, quick and effective at both ends of the pitch. He ticks a lot of boxes.

“There is no doubting that he is an amazing player. The question is, would he come in and command a starting spot? Hojbjerg and Bentancur have done extremely well. [Yves] Bissouma has struggled to get a look in at times.

“Would Kessie upset that midfield? Maybe but I don’t think it’s a certainty. It’s really important that Spurs sign better than what they already have."

Pakistan could host a World XI in Lahore for three T20s later this year, if all goes to plan

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Jun-2017Pakistan could host a World XI in Lahore for three T20s later this year, if all goes to plan. The ICC Board extended support to such a proposal during its annual conference in London on Saturday, as part of the efforts to take international cricket back to Pakistan.Following the final day of meetings, the ICC said in a release that while the plan to hold the matches – against a Pakistan XI – is a work in progress, the ICC Board “agreed to support” the proposal. “Further details will be announced in due course,” the release said.Zimbabwe and Afghanistan are the only international teams to play in Pakistan since the attack on the Sri Lanka team bus by gunmen in March 2009. The Zimbabwe series in 2015 was marred by a blast during the second ODI, 800m from the Gaddafi Stadium, which killed two people. Since then, however, the PCB has hosted the 2017 PSL final – which featured overseas players as well – in Lahore on March 5 without incident.

Chelsea are stepping up their efforts to bulk out their squad before the Premier League season begins in just under three weeks as Mauricio Pochettino is eyeing a move for Crystal Palace starlet Michael Olise.

Have Chelsea made a bid for Michael Olise?

RMC Sport journalist Fabrice Hawkins has stated that the Stamford Bridge outfit have made an offer to sign Olise, tweeting: “Chelsea made a first offer to Crystal Palace to recruit Michael Olise.

“Offer less than 45 million euros including bonus. The player is seduced by the Blues project. In principle he agrees to go to Chelsea even if there are always negotiations.”

A fee of €45 (£39m) sounds like it could be a bargain, especially considering the winger has another three years left on his current contract at Palace.

With a grand total of £219m raised from selling players this summer, Pochettino has some money to play with, and it looks as though his next move could perhaps come from closer to home, having signed Christopher Nkunku from the Bundesliga and Nicolas Jackson from La Liga.

Should Chelsea sign Michael Olise?

The signing of the Palace man could be just what is needed to help oust Hakim Ziyech from Stamford Bridge this summer. The Moroccan international looked set for a move away from Chelsea, yet he failed his medical at Al-Nassr and Pochettino will need to find another potential suitor for the right-winger.

The former Ajax man endured a woeful season during 2022/23, registering just three assists and scoring zero goals in 24 games across all competitions whilst also ranking in a lowly 11th position for successful dribbles (0.8) and 12th for key passes (0.8) per game in the league last term. This clearly indicates that he struggled to assert any sort of positive influence on the side.

Olise in comparison, ranked fourth for successful dribbles (1.5) and first for key passes (1.9) per game during the league season, showcasing his creative talents and there is no doubt that he would be a major upgrade on the 30-year-old for Pochettino to have at his disposal next term.

Not only did Olise register more domestic goal contributions than the Chelsea winger (13 to three), but also more shots on target per 90 (0.45 to 0.34) and more shot-creating actions per 90 (4.68 to 4.36) which clearly suggests just how effective he has been over the previous 365 days.

The English-born youngster also ranked in the top 7% across Europe’s big five leagues for assists per 90 (0.36) and demonstrated that creativity isn’t his only strength, ranking in the top 15% for tackles (1.9), blocks (1.51) and interceptions (0.85) per 90, expressing his ability to win the ball back on a constant basis and helping his team out when they are out of possession.

Lauded as “outstanding” alongside teammate Eberechi Eze back in April by former professional Clinton Morrison, it’s clear that the French U21 international has been a far more consistent performer over the previous 12 months than Ziyech.

There might not be another right-winger on the market for that sort of value who offers as much as Olise, both from an attacking and defensive point of view and Pochettino should be wrapping a potential move up as soon as possible.

Virat Kohli had struggled against the short ball on slow West Indian pitches, but with the series up for grabs, he overcame them to make an unbeaten 111

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Jul-20172:28

Plan was to play fewer dot balls – Kohli

After two low scores, and perhaps more pertinently two similar dismissals, it had seemed like West Indies were zeroing in on a weakness in Virat Kohli’s game. The Indian captain fell for 3 and 11 in North Sound, fending and hooking at short balls in an attempt to take the attack to the opposition before he was settled. Such tactics might well succeed on good pitches but not so much on the slow tracks of the Caribbean where the ball does not always come onto the bat.In Kingston too, Kohli was welcomed to the crease with a few bouncers, but the conviction not to get out in the same tame manner for a third successive time helped him make his 28th ODI century – an unbeaten 111 to seal India’s chase of 206 and the series 3-1.Kohli’s celebration – a resounding roar heard around Sabina Park – as he secured his 18th hundred in a chase, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record, was an expression of joy at overcoming a challenge.”I don’t like to get out in similar fashion more often,” he said at the post-match press conference. “The reason you succeed at international cricket is that you have to stretch the gap between your mistakes and I think a couple of mistakes from me, getting out in the same manner is something that I don’t really like.”So it was more of being a little strict on myself and getting the team across the line, which I knew the victory was inevitable when I got the hundred and it was all about the satisfaction of actually planning the innings out and executing it well and that always feels nice and something that I like to be hard on myself, not getting out in the same manner too many times”So how did he go about addressing this perceived weakness? Practice in the nets? Meditation to control those natural instincts that were leading him astray? Soft, soothing music?As it turned out, the key to Kohli returning to his run-machine ways was quiet contemplation. Before the match, he had simply told himself to avoid the bouncers while getting his eye in and attack them only after “reaching 30 or 40″.”I think the planning starts from your room. You need to sit down and think positively about the shots you want to play. If there’s a bit of hesitation, then you take the route of leaving the ball on one particular shot. But if you get into a clear mindset back again and give yourself targets – after reaching 30 or 40, I’m going to start pulling the ball or I’m going to start taking on the short ball and targets become easier. You have a clearer picture as to when to take on that particular shot.”For that you need to build your mindset first, when you’re sitting all by yourself. If you don’t have a clear mind then about a particular shot, then you’ll find it difficult executing it in the game no matter how many times you practice it. You first need to have a positive intent, then you practice and then you can execute it in the game That’s what I feel and that’s the sort of pattern that I follow.”Virat Kohli told himself to play the pull shot only after ‘scoring 30 or 40 runs’•AFPWhere did this innings rank then, if it was the culmination of a plan coming together?”When you are not too happy with how you are getting out and then you end up convincingly scoring a century and remaining not out and taking the team across the line, I think it’s a complete package,” Kohli said.”For a batsman you can’t have an ideal scenario, when you have a chanceless knock as well, you haven’t given any half-chances either. From that point of view, I felt it was a complete knock from a personal point of view and for the team as well.”But it’s difficult to rate centuries. I would say the last one [against England] was still more special because the total was more massive and we were 63 for 4. In hindsight, when you look at those things, you understand the importance of those knocks. Maybe the 49 in Bangladesh against Pakistan [in the Asia Cup T20 2016] was the best I’ve played in the last couple of years. It was only 49, it wasn’t even 50, so I think the quality of the knock, you can think of it only later, when you play in different conditions when you understand how difficult the previous conditions were.”While a series victory – India’s seventh on the trot in bilaterals against West Indies – was cause to celebrate, there was a slight issue to address as well.The visitors’ only loss came while chasing a meager target of 190, despite MS Dhoni, one of the best finishers in ODIs, being at the crease for the better part of 50 overs. Kohli was asked if he was troubled by his wicketkeeper batsman’s form after an innings of 54 off 114 balls and he said, “I think we get too impatient after just one game or one know. That can happen to anyone. Any batsman can struggle and any batsman can get stuck on the crease. Even if you’re in top form, it can happen to you, so I don’t think there’s any issues, because if you see the knocks around it, he’s been striking the ball really well and the strike-rate is close to 100 if not over 100. So not bothered with anything at all.”I think it was only the last game where he couldn’t rotate strike. Before that he got a brilliant 70 or 80 not out, in the Champions Trophy as well, against Sri Lanka, he played a brilliant knock, and in the first game as well, he played a brilliant knock, when it wasn’t rained out and we won the game. He’s striking the ball beautifully. You don’t need to tell him anything in terms of how to play a situation or how to build an innings.”Finally, from the outside, this five-match ODI series against the ninth-ranked team was seen as a chance India might capitalise on to blood new players and perhaps assess the existing ones in more senior roles. But Kohli defended the lack of experimentation saying, “you can’t take any series lightly.”You can’t make a Hardik [Pandya] or Kedar [Jadhav] bat at No. 3 and 4 and make your top-order batsman bat lower down. It’s still international cricket and you have to be respectful towards oppositions and whatever games that you play and its very important to understand what works for you as a team and you’ve got to keep sticking to it. We keep giving them confidence and both guys are very eager to make dents, which they have in the past, and we’re very confident of their abilities and we’re actually delighted to have found two lower order batsmen who can play that explosive cricket.”Kedar’s knock, if you saw in that low-scoring game the other day, he made the difference when he came in the end, and Hardik’s knock in the Champions Trophy final and in the first game as well. So these guys can play impact innings for you. That won’t happen every now and then because of the strength we have in our batting. When they do get an opportunity, as I said they’ve been waiting for a while, they will get their opportunities, ideally we wouldn’t want them to get many opportunities early, but with 10-15 overs to go, I’m sure they’ll come up with the goods.”

Shahid Afridi’s four wickets gave Hampshire promise of victory but they dried up with the bat as Kent kept their last-eight hopes alive

ECB Reporters Network01-Aug-2017Shahid Afridi’s four wickets were to no avail•Getty ImagesMitchell Claydon defended 16 in the final over to back up Daniel Bell-Drummond’s ninth career T20 fifty as Kent edged a last over thriller to beat Hampshire by five runs in the Natwest T20 Blast.England Lions star Bell-Drummond carefully hit 62 to help the visitors reach 159 for six on a slow track.Hampshire faltered in the second half of the innings to fall short. They needed 37 from 28 balls when Australian George Bailey was the third wicket to fall. Liam Dawson managed 5 from 9 balls and No. 3 Tom Alsop was left high and dry with 43 from 41 balls with only two boundaries.Hampshire’s captain James Vince expressed his disappointment at a victory that eluded his side: “For three quarters of the game we did better than them but we struggled to find the boundary in the second half of our innings,” he said. “We needed 72 from 10 overs with eight wickets in hand – it was a bit of a mess up but we have to move on for Friday.”He defended the decision not to push Shahid Afridi up the order to No 6, saying: “Afridi hasn’t really hit it miles yet this season and McManus has been in really good touch. We didn’t lose a wicket for a while so no one went in and we left too much to do in the back end. In hindsight we would have liked to win that with an over to spare.”Vince and Rilee Rossouw had got Hampshire off to a quick start in their quest to reach 160. Skipper Vince in particular took a fancy to Mitchell Clayton, who he dispatched for the match’s first six over cover in the fourth over.But the fast bowler hit back three balls later as Rossouw picked out Alex Blake at mid-on to break the 43-run opening partnership. Vince departed to the final ball of the powerplay as he was yorked by former teammate Matt Coles – as Hampshire sped to 60 in the opening six overs.Spin pair Imran Qayyum and James Tredwell put the brakes on Hampshire’s charge with tight middle overs. And from then on the hosts struggled, Bailey and Alsop neatly added 40 to take their side to 28 runs from victory before the Australian chipped a paddle sweep to short fine leg for a season best 41.Liam Dawson then picked out Blake on the long on boundary to leave his side needing 16 from the final over. But Claydon brilliantly defended the last six balls, as he only went for 10, to lift Kent’s hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.Earlier, Kent captain Sam Northeast won the toss and decided to bat on a grubby track under thin grey clouds.Joe Denly and Bell-Drummond set off at an understated rate, which set the tone for the innings. Denly cracked back-to-back fours off Chris Wood in the second over, two of just 12 boundaries in the Kent total, as they reached 47 by the end of the Powerplay. Mason Crane broke the 65-run opening stand when he bowled Denly with a googly.Skipper Northeast was bowled for a quick 10 and Sam Billings picked out Crane on the long on boundary as Afridi showed his class by going on to take four wickets.England Lions star Bell-Drummond continued to tick the score along effortlessly and reached a 33-ball fifty. Afridi was keeping things tight at the other end but waited until his final over to blow the visitors away by snatching two wickets in two balls.James Neesham top edged a sweep to short third man and Bell-Drummond was brilliant caught by a sliding Dawson on the cover boundary – leaving Afridi with his third best Hampshire T20 figures of 4 for 26.Alex Blake and Darren Stevens struck a quick 39 to lift Kent to 159 although the latter was caught at mid-off at the final ball as Kyle Abbott deceived him with a slower ball – but the score was enough.

Fulham will sign another "big-money" forward after Raul Jimenez, provided Aleksandar Mitrovic completes his move to Saudi Arabia.

What's the latest Fulham transfer news?

Following weeks of little activity at the start of this summer window, reports in the last fortnight highly suggest that the Whites are starting to make formal moves for targets.

Marco Silva's side are chasing a left-footed central defensive star, as mainstay defender Tosin Adarabioyo attracts rival interest from the Premier League.

The Cottagers are believed to be in very advanced talks to sign Calvin Bassey from Ajax, while Southampton's Mohammed Salisu has also been at the centre of Fulham negotiations.

However, renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that only one of the aforementioned duo will come to Craven Cottage – if a move is indeed agreed.

Another glaring issue Silva must resolve in the market is up front, which they already have done in part by putting pen to paper on a deal for Jimenez.

The Mexico international striker has joined Fulham, coming amid Mitrovic's agitated push to Saudi Arabia. The Serbia forward has even reportedly vowed to never to play for Silva again, coming after Fulham placed a £52 million price tag on his head.

"It's not the ideal situation, I have to tell you. Not because he received an offer, it's the situation about himself," said Silva on Mitrovic recently.

"As you know, he's not going to play tomorrow, he didn't play last Wednesday. He's not working properly with his team mates and when I say this is not the ideal scenario, this is the situation.

"When it's out of my control as a manager, this is not something that concerns me, but I would like to have a different scenario in that situation … Sometimes you have individual decisions that is for them to take care of."

As their star striker from last season pushes to make his move to the Middle East, Fulham are planning for life without him behind-the-scenes.

Despite bringing in Jimenez, Football Insider and journalist Pete O'Rourke have an interesting claim and say the North American isn't a like-for-like replacement for Mitrovic.

Instead, Fulham will "sign a further big-money forward" should Mitrovic get the green-light to leave west London.

This is looking increasingly likely, as Al-Hilal are apparently set to return with a £52 million bid for the want-away 28-year-old.

Silva is personally very keen to add attacking reinforcements, even before the Mitrovic saga started to come into effect.

Which striker could Fulham sign?

After Jimenez, there are few links with capable top flight forwards, but in the last month there have been reports of Fulham showing an interest in Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah.

The 24-year-old, who bagged four goals in 30 league games over 2022/2023, came in as a capable deputy for Gabriel Jesus at one point last campaign – going on a brief scoring run and starting nearly every game from late December to mid-February (Transfermarkt).

Indeed, Nketiah could be credible candidate given he's already in London, not to mention all the competition for starting places at Arsenal.

He may well decide a move to Craven Cottage could be beneficial for his career.

Crystal Palace are “interested” in a deal to sign Everton forward Demarai Gray this summer, according to The Athletic journalist David Ornstein.

Is Demarai Gray leaving Everton?

The Premier League playmaker’s contract is set to expire in less than a year meaning that the ongoing window is Sean Dyche’s final opportunity to cash in on the left-winger should he not want to risk losing him for free, and there’s a strong chance that he’ll be on the move in the weeks ahead.

Football Insider have reported that the 27-year-old is edging towards an exit having made no progress in talks over a new deal at Goodison Park, with the attacker, as per the same outlet, being monitored by the Eagles, Fulham and clubs over in Saudi Arabia.

Speaking to Football FanCast, Dean Jones, journalist and transfer expert, backed Roy Hodgson to wrap up a deal for the Jamaica international who he believes could be an ideal replacement for Wilfried Zaha who recently left the club to join Galatasaray. He said:

“Palace losing Zaha has obviously been a blow because there was always a small chance he might end up staying but now they need to get round to finding another player that can create moments like he did and Gray certainly does have a bit of magic about him."

Are Crystal Palace signing Demarai Gray?

Taking to Twitter, Ornstein named Crystal Palace as one of several clubs to be keeping close tabs on Gray, despite him already having given the green-light on a move to Craven Cottage. He wrote:

“Everton continue talks over sale of Demarai Gray. Personal terms agreed with Fulham – clubs apart in valuation but dialogue ongoing + 27yo winger not training. #CPFC #Besiktas #SPL also interested. Into last 12months of #EFC contract.”

How many goals has Demarai Gray scored?

In the Premier League last season, Gray posted five goal contributions (four goals and one assist) in 33 Everton appearances, making him Dyche’s third best-performing offensive player, and the left-winger could definitely continue making a positive impact should he join Crystal Palace.

Sponsored by Adidas, Merseyside outfit’s £25k-per-week earner also recorded a total of 57 shots over the course of the previous campaign which was more than any of his fellow teammates, alongside whipping 173 crosses into the box which was the second-highest tally for the Blues, via FBRef, highlighting his desire to consistently create chances for himself and his peers.

The Birmingham-born talent is additionally a versatile operator having been deployed in seven various positions since the start of his career, including everywhere across the frontline and even three roles in the midfield, so he would be a great option for the manager to have at his disposal.

Gray has been dubbed a “threat” in the final third by reliable journalist Josh Bunting, and whilst it will be hard for any player to come in and succeed Zaha considering how loved he was by supporters, Everton’s star could be the ideal candidate to walk through the doors and give it a good go.

The board is one of over 1600 organisations to sign an open letter to safeguard the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) employees

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Sep-2017James Sutherland, the Cricket Australia chief executive, has thrown the governing body’s support behind a vote in favour of marriage equality in the postal plebiscite being mailed to Australian homes this week.CA on Monday revealed that the organisation had joined more than 1600 Australian businesses, industries and sports in signing an open letter in support of a legislate change to allow same-sex couples to marry. Other sporting bodies to sign on include the AFL, Basketball Australia, the Football Federation of Australia and the NRL.”Cricket must be a welcoming environment for each and every one of us, regardless of gender, cultural heritage and – importantly in the current environment – sexuality,” Sutherland said. “That holds true whether you are pulling on pads for the first time in community cricket, representing your country, volunteering your time or working for a cricket organisation.”In 2014, we joined other leading sporting codes to announce our support of the Bingham Cup charter, which seeks to end homophobia in sport and ensure that all sports have inclusive and anti-discriminatory policies. There is still progress to be made across sport, and while cricket can always be doing more to support the LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) community, we hope that supporting marriage equality will send a strong message to the cricket community across Australia that we are a Sport For All.”A portion of the open letter signed by CA read: “We, the business, industry and sporting leaders of Australia, write to express our support for Marriage Equality. We support diversity in the workforce and recognise the rights of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) employees to live and work, free of prejudice and discrimination, with all the essential freedoms enjoyed by other members of our organisations and the broader community.”The rights and liberties of all individuals are sacrosanct. They are essential in the creation of a healthy, harmonious and open society. An equitable society, free of discrimination, also allows all employees to function at their best. Australia is a robust democracy however, we support seeing it treat all its citizens equally. Legalised discrimination in one area allows discrimination to flourish in all areas.”CA has struck an increasingly progressive tone in recent years, this year downgrading its alcohol sponsorship so that Australian teams will no longer carry the brand of a beer manufacturer in line with a strategic goal to “develop more socially responsible partnerships”. It has also aimed to broaden the game’s audience by being as inclusive as possible, also stating in a recent strategy document: “Grow the number of Australians who feel connected with and passionately support the Big Bash clubs and Australian teams.”