The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has accepted the invitation from the Indian board (BCCI) to participate in the tri-nation series in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur in September and selected a squad of 14 players. However, the WICB bypassed the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) and issued match/tour contracts directly to selected players.According to a WICB release yesterday, the decision was taken to directly invite players to the tour, after talks on Wednesday between board representative Deryck Murray and Dinanath Ramnarine, the WIPA president, and subsequent discussions between Ramnarine and Ken Gordon, the WICB president, “broke down in spite of our best efforts.”The release continued: “It has now become imperative that we act if we are to participate in this series because of the tight timelines between now and the September tournament”.The release also disclosed that offers to the players for the series ranged from a minimum of US$25,000 to a maximum of US $59,000 per player, with the “prospect of each player earning an additional 50 per cent on these fees if West Indies qualifies for the final”.The WICB also stated that these fees were “unprecedented” at 488% of the normal match fees, and “25 % of the net revenue to be paid to the WICB for the series.” They said this was only made possible due to the “one-off nature of the series” and the board’s commitment to “enhance earnings of players whenever practicable”.The WICB also claimed the WIPA’s demands – ranging from US$40,000 to $US95,000 per player represented 40 per cent of the net revenue the WICB were due to receive, and almost double the premium on normal match fees. They said this was considered “unacceptable”. The disagreements over match fees and contractual conditions stem back to November 2004.The selected players have also been given until August 10 to accept the invitation, after which the WICB said that another team will be chosen to replace West Indies in the series, which also features India and Australia.A noteworthy inclusion in the squad is Carlton Baugh, the wicketkeeper, who replaces Denesh Ramdin, despite an impressive performance in the recent Jamaica Test against India. Brian Lara, who apologised to Gordon for his comments on team selection, will continue to lead the squad. Fast bowler Fidel Edwards returns to the squad after missing the last three Tests against India due to a hamstring injury.Squad Brian Lara (capt), Ramnaresh Sarwan, Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Runako Morton, Dwayne Bravo, Dwayne Smith, Carlton Baugh (wk), Corey Collymore, Fidel Edwards, Ian Bradshaw, Jerome Taylor, Marlon Samuels, Wavell Hinds.
Life is never dull when Daryll Cullinan is concerned, and he is again in trouble after a well-publicised confrontation with HD Ackerman at the weekend. Following a private hearing on Monday with Michael Kuper, the South African board’s disciplinary commissioner, he was banned for one match after being found guilty of contravening two clauses of the board’s Code of Conduct.Cullinan, who captains Titans, was summoned along with Ackerman, skipper of Lions, after the pair clashed during a match between the two sides at Potchefstroom last week. Witnesses said the trouble started when Cullinan spoke to Ackerman as he came out to bat. Ackerman was clearly upset by the comments and got involved in a heated confrontation, later making a formal complaint to the umpires.Cullinan, who will not appeal, will miss the match against Eastern Cape Warriors starting on January 6. Ackerman was “severely reprimanded” for his part in the incident.The exact details of the face-off are not known, but it left Lions’ officials deeply unhappy. Shukri Conrad, the coach, was reported in some newspapers as saying it was time Cullinan retired, and he slammed the player for not speaking to any of the Lions team after the match. “If he can’t take time out to thank us, then that just sums up the man.”It is understood that Titans officials have fully accepted the punishment and also that Cullinan has apologised to them for his conduct.
Andre Adams has been thrown a lifeline by John Bracewell, the New Zealand coach, who has said that Adams still has an international future as long as he sorts out his attitude.Adams, who turns 29 in a week, joined the New Zealand squad for the first time in 14 months yesterday after falling off the radar last season and not even being considered for New Zealand A. A perceived casual attitude, injuries and inconsistent performances meant that he was left off the list of 20 New Zealand contracted players in April.Adams was summoned this week from Lancashire league cricket with Colne, to cover for injury niggles to Daryl Tuffey (thigh), Chris Cairns (ankle) and Jacob Oram (side) ahead of Saturday’s NatWest Series final against West Indies at Lord’s.Bracewell said he was determined that Adams wouldn’t be cast to the international scrap heap, and had organised a programme with the team’s psychologist, Gilbert Enoka. “He’s a talented athlete, and we won’t give up on Andre,” Bracewell said. “He’s talented enough to play international cricket again, but you can’t drift through life on talent alone.”You’ve got to have discipline and professionalism, and a day in, day out attitude. You can’t just turn it on like a light switch.”After returning home from a limited role in New Zealand’s tri-series win in Sri Lanka last May, Adams admitted it all went downhill. “Last year was a really difficult season for me. I didn’t do the things I wanted to do, got more and more frustrated and started taking it out on team-mates and anyone else around me,” Adams told New Zealand Press Association, having brushed with officialdom several times in recent seasons after clashes with players and umpires. “I got frustrated with where I was going, which was nowhere fast.”He said he was stunned to get the call-up from Lindsay Crocker, the New Zealand manager, earlier this week, but admitted it got the pulse racing again. “You don’t realise how much you want it till you get the phone call. I’ve been trying to tell myself it’s OK, I don’t really need it, but as soon as you hear Lindsay’s voice at the end of the line, I was jumping out of my skin to get here.”
Minor Counties failed to take advantage of first use of a wicket offering the bowlers variable bounce and were bowled out for 130 in just 42.5 overs, thanks to some poor shot selection and fine pace bowling by Sri Lankan overseas player Mohamed Maharoof. Howitt (27) and Trower (39) showed some of their true form but there was only one decent partnership – 39 – between Trower and Mann.Kidner got an early breakthrough, bowling the dangerous Alleyne for 1. Brown bowled an immaculate 10 overs of off-spin taking 1-18 and Dawson bowled 5 tight overs of seam, but the target was reached comfortably, giving Middlesex victory by 7 wickets with 11 overs to spare.
Despite leading his Hampshire side to CricInfo Championship Division Two promotion, Robin Smith has admitted to contemplating handing over the captaincy reigns at the end of the season.Smith, who replaced John Stephenson as captain in 1998, has been upset by his own batting form over the past couple of seasons and attributes the blame for this dip on the pressure of leading the side.The former England batsman, who celebrated his 38th birthday on Thursday, the same day Hampshire secured promotion at Trent Bridge is considering playing out what is expected to be his final year amongst the rank and file.He believes the time maybe right to hand over the challis. “It has been a grat honour to have been chosen to captain Hampshire”, he said.”But I feel my own game has been affected for the worse.”I have to hold my hands up and admit I have been disappointed with my own form since taking on what at the moment is a pretty stressful job.”If the club feel it is better for me to concentrate on my own game and score the runs, then I will stand down. If not then I will also be happy to continue.”He is not expecting to annouce his decision until well after the dust has settled on a successful season in charge.Will Kendall is his likely successor, having been appointed vice-captain at the start of the season. However, his personal form this season has been far from impressive either.
Yere Goud was hardly the name you would have expected to hear chanted at the Gangothri Glades in Mysore, given that many in the partisan crowd had come to see a reprise of Robin Uthappa’s brisk century last season. Yet after his unbeaten 110 and a last-wicket stand with the determined NC Aiyappa to avoid the follow-on and post a healthy, unlikely, 329, Goud was the one they were cheering for.Goud walked in at 155 for 5 and soon saw three wickets fall for 36 runs; a fourth fell at 208, still 36 runs short of the target to avoid the follow-on. Yet while his younger team-mates came and went, Goud called on all his experience and gave Karnataka reason to smile after two and a half days of catch-up cricket against Rajasthan. Though Rajasthan did take crucial first-innings lead points and dominated the first half of the third day, they were seriously tested by Goud’s perseverance.In a south Indian version of , Goud, 36, did his best to move the score along after a post-lunch collapse with a six, followed by some paddles and powerful sweeps. After gauging the pitch, the attack and his partner’s abilities, Goud opened up with some exciting shots. There was one mis-hit that the fielder at mid-on, running backwards at a fair clip, failed to hold on to despite a valiant dive, but otherwise it was Karnataka’s afternoon. Goud welcomed the new ball with a pull and helped wrest the momentum back his side’s way.”It was a good innings mainly because we were in some trouble and batting wasn’t easy,” Goud told Cricinfo after the day’s play. “I just wanted to stay there and bat for as long as possible.”That he did. Like Rajasthan’s Robin Bist had on day two, Goud marshalled his tail-end partner, Aiyappa, in fine manner. Singles were picked with ease and loose balls were duly punished. He was especially good against the spinners and used the slowness to pinch singles at the end of the overs.Run after run, Goud and Aiyappa ground Rajasthan into the dust. It was a most fascinating battle to watch. “I told Aiyappa just to stay put and the first plan was to avoid the follow-on,” said Goud. “He did well and we were able to do that. Runs started coming afterwards.”At 3.03pm on a cool afternoon, Goud dabbed another domestic veteran, left-arm spinner Mohammad Aslam, wide of point to reach his century off 190 balls. A jog down the pitch, arms aloft in celebration, and a leap in the air celebrated the hundred followed before Goud quickly got back to his task.The innings wasn’t one usually associated with the stonewalling Goud, but he maintained it was just good to score runs. “I’m glad I could help the team. Being a senior player the team required me to score runs, and I did that. It was satisfying.”Not to be lost in all of this, Aiyappa went past his previous best of an unbeaten seven to buckle down for 24 from 70 balls. His defiance was commendable and helped retrieve Karnataka from what looked a hopeless situation.Goud and Aiyappa’s 121-run stand broke Karnataka’s previous last-wicket best of 120 between Raghuram Bhat and Abhiram, against Tamil Nadu in1981-82 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. The end came when Aslam cleaned up Aiyappa in the 129th over and was rewarded his fourth wicket for a persevering 43.2 overs.”The wicket is fairly uneven and it was tough for batsmen and bowlers,” said Aslam. “Looking at the surface before the match, you wouldn’t think 100 was achievable. It’s been up and down. Those who are willing to toil will get wickets.”As expected spin came into play on the third day as Rajasthan took the first session’s honours. Aslam struck early in the day to get rid of nightwatchman KP Appanna, edging to slip in the third over. Opening bowler Sumit Mathur was rewarded for a spirited spell when Thilak Naidu pushed away and edged one to second slip Vineet Saxena, who juggled it but held on.Offspinner Shamsher Singh was the pick of the bowlers in the morning, flighting it more than Aslam and getting turn and bounce. With Aslam and Shamsher bowling well, short leg and silly point were kept busy, as edges dropped perilously close. After Aslam took himself off, Afroz Khan kept one end tight with his tidy military-medium bowling. The first session ended as it began, as C Raghu popped a simple catch to Nikhil Doru at short leg minutes before lunch.”Come on, boys, just don’t relax out there,” said KP Bhaskar, Rajasthan’s coach, as his team huddled on the boundary line after lunch. Sunil Joshi half-heartedly chipped his second delivery to mid-on to give Shamsher his second wicket just two balls into the session. Aslam then bowled B Akhil through the gate with an arm ball in the next over. Vinay Kumar followed after two sixes over long-on, when he was trapped leg before by Shamsher to make it 208 for 9.It would be their last success for 161 minutes as Karnataka, who struggled to forge partnerships all innings, found two contrasting yet stubborn customers to script a classic back-to-the-wall association. And they had Goud to thank for that.
You can be blessed with the quick feet of Lionel Messi, the vision of Paul Scholes or the technique of Cristiano Ronaldo but it will all amount to nothing without the vital ingredient of self-belief. The psychological demands of the beautiful game are all too easily overlooked, when in fact they help contribute to some of the most exciting and often surprising incidents in the sport.
I think we’re all in agreement that Barcelona were the superior side in their recent Champions League clash against Chelsea. Had one of their multiple chances at the Bridge found the back of the net then perhaps we would be reading a different fairytale altogether, rather than this modern day version of David and Goliath. Their failure to score coupled with the outcome of El Clásico planted a seed of doubt at the heart of the Catalan giants, which continued to grow as the clock ticked down.
You could sense the atmosphere had changed after Messi crashed his penalty against the crossbar, as Barcelona continued to knock on the door rather than searching for an alternative route past a resilient Chelsea rearguard. As they swept the ball across the box in an arc formation it began to dawn on me that their failure to penetrate through had left them bereft of ideas. This was highlighted by the usually assured Lionel Messi picking up a booking for a rash challenge, a clear sign that the unyielding confidence of the Spanish giants was crumbling away.
Forgive me if I appear to be belittling the achievements of Chelsea, who were sensational across the entire 180 minutes. Whereas their opponents were found lacking, Drogba and co were thriving on the confidence Roberto Di Matteo has installed in them since his transition from sidekick to top dog. The Blues knew that it would be foolish to compete with Barca’s own brand of football, but instead of letting this demoralise them they were buoyed by their own belief that they could weather the storm and punish them on the break.
You need look no further than Fernando Torres for evidence of the fragile nature of self-confidence. In the not too distant past the Spaniard was idolised in Merseyside, flourishing in the admiration of the fans, his fellow team-mates, his manager and perhaps most importantly the national press. Introduce the concept of being valued of £50m and suddenly all that washes away and is replaced by the weight of expectation. Torres has endured a torrid journey in his search for that defining moment of inspiration and if Gary Neville’s reaction is anything to go by, he found it at the Nou Camp.
The importance of confidence is even more apparent in the Premier League, as it helps shape the contrasting fortunes of a number of clubs. Newcastle are a team playing with a creative freedom gifted to them by Alan Pardew, a man who has somehow bought a sense of cohesion and team spirit to a club that was once in disarray.
The Toon Army could arguably be credited with stealing Tottenham’s crown as the most exciting team in the division. The Lilywhites flaunted a similar style of attacking football in the early part of the season that led many to hail them as outside title contenders and portray Harry Redknapp as the front-runner for the vacant England role. However, the club have struggled to overcome the significant defeat against their North London rivals Arsenal and have unquestionably entered a state of freefall. Redknapp is often praised for his man management skills so it will interesting to see if he can resurrect his teams battered mentality before they slip out of Champions League contention altogether.
If we drop down into the Championship, Reading represent the perfect example of a team blossoming under a manager who shares the gift for motivating and inspiring his players. Much like Di Matteo, Brian McDermott isn’t blessed with a wealth of experience but they both possess a natural talent for getting the best out of their players. Compare these two with someone like Sven Goran Eriksson, who has enjoyed success across the continent and is regarded as a master tactician. In spite of this I feel the Swede was always hampered by his ability to ‘gee up’ his squad, which inevitably accumulated to his failure with the England national side and a growing number of domestic clubs in the country.
It’s logical to suggest that you can never have too much confidence given the ‘world beater’ attitude it inspires from within. However, we know this is not the case and we only have to look at the likes of Nicklas Bendtner and Mario Balotelli to witness how an inflated ego to be detrimental to ones career. It can also be seemingly impossible to get back, hit a bad patch of form or endure a spell on the sidelines and you might witness players literally trying to hide on a football pitch. Has Michael Owen ever been the same since he pulled up all those years ago in his Liverpool shirt? Will we ever see the forgotten talent of Manchester City’s Michael Johnson boss a midfield again?
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Confidence therefore is vital, without it and you won’t even see a pass let alone attempt it. Too much of the stuff and you lose all sense of reality, trying audacious lobs from the highway line much to the frustration of those around you. As the title race reaches its peak City will be buoyed by their recent run of form whilst United confident from the fact they’ve been here before. Who will emerge triumphant? No one knows and that should inspire confidence about the state of English football from within all of us.
Join me on Twitter @theunusedsub where I’m confident Chelsea will be joined by the Special One in the final.
Top-level football is a logistical nightmare. Players are bought in from across the planet from the moment they hit their teenage years, leading to homegrown designations for stars from Mogadishu to Monterrey. And whilst scouting networks become ever more fragmented and diversified, perhaps there is a fantastic resource that the top clubs are missing out on – the lower leagues. So who’s next? Who could step up from the Football League?
In goal, the likes of Alex Smithies and Frankie Fielding are both young, gifted and capped by England Under 21’s and with the current death of top level English talent between the sticks, it wouldn’t be beyond the realm of possibility for Capello to at least look at them train with the stars and see their development first hand. Fielding had eight different loan spells before getting sick of being fourth choice and dropping to the Championship at Derby. That decision might be a regrettable one for Rovers as Fielding is already proving he can keep clean sheets.
In front of the keeper, Premier League clubs could do a lot worse than to examine defenders like Crystal Palace full-back Nat Clyne. A speedster who offers an accurate crossing threat as well as solid defence, the 20 year old has already logged 94 appearances for his club and this year, featured in every game. Playing this season in the third tier, Brighton’s Tommy Elphick is only 23, yet has appeared for the Seagulls over 150 times. His step up to the Championship should be monitored by Premier League teams who need a ball playing and commanding centre back.
Moving further up the field, there are some real gems. The highly sought-after Alex Chamberlain is the standout prospect, but Swansea’s diminutive Joe Allen is worthy of contention. The West Wales born midfielder surprised many when making his debut at the Liberty, but quickly showed creativity and a first touch that simply removes any pressure from opposing players. While Allen probably wouldn’t be a box to box midfield general, he has shown he can fit into several different systems and would contribute in the Premiership.
Shrewsbury’s Jon Taylor is only 18 and is rumoured to be being watched by half the top flight. A previous winner of the Football Leagues’ Young Player of the Month award, Taylor dropped down from Wigan and made an immediate impact, scoring twice in his first start. The winger totalled six goals in 22 appearances and it remains to be seen whether he stays at Greenhous Meadow much longer.
Upfront, there’s an embarrassment of riches in the 72, with obvious names like Craig Mackail-Smith, Shane Long and Connor Wickham, but there’s also a few future stars that might get to the Premier promised land soon.
Charlie Austin is ascending the divisions, having just joined Burnley from Swindon. Aged 21, he netted 31 times in just over 54 appearances for the Robins. Austin was previously a bricklayer and it will be interesting to see how he develops a partnership with Jay Rodriguez, an intelligent young striker in his own right.
Norwich’s Cody MacDonald will probably be loaned next season, having spent the previous campaign at Gillingham. He hit 25 in Kent and showed that a six-month cameo at another team might be what he needs before the pacy frontman tries to get on the bench for the Canaries.
Danny Ings of Bournemouth is another excellent prospect. At 19, he’s shown himself to be capable of scoring clutch goals, bagging his eighth of the season in the epic playoff game against Huddersfield. A creative deep forward, his ability is unquestioned and has the potential to be developed by a bigger side.
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Most of the Premier League chooses to import it’s playing staff, paying a premium for past ability, yet few have the foresight to invest in their own stars. The above is a small selection of the quality in the Football League. It should not be a retirement home for older pros, but a proving ground for hungry players who can use the division to audition for a big move to the top flight.
Read more of Hashim Piperdy’s articles at This is Futbol
Liverpool defender Daniel Agger could be sidelined for a lengthy period with his calf injury, according to boss Roy Hodgson.
The 25-year-old Denmark international has not played since the 2-2 draw with Sunderland in September and Hodgson is not upbeat about any imminent return to action.
He said:"Agger is long term. They can't put a date on it.
"At the moment he can't train, he has just got to rest and wait for the next time he goes to see the specialist again.
"They are very anxious that bone doesn't form. It is a calcification issue and training would certainly accelerate the calcification.
"Now they have to wait and hope the body breaks down the calcifying elements before he can even think about training again. So it could be very long term."
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Agger has made more than 100 appearances for the Reds since making his debut in January 2006.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Arsenal is set to battle it out with PSG for Stephane Sessegnon, according to the Mirror.
The Benin international has been in sensational form this season and has played a big part in Sunderland’s recent resurgence under Martin O’Neill.
Arsene Wenger has been keeping tabs all season on the versatile Sessegnon, who would give Arsenal some much needed options in midfield. The midfielder is valued at £10m and could provide the ideal replacement for the likely summer departure of Andrey Arshavin.
Whether Sessegnon wants to move to North London remains to be seen, as the 27-year-old remains unsettled in England largely down to his family’s unwillingness to leave their Paris home.
If PSG were to follow up their interest with a summer bid then it is more than likely that Sessegnon will welcome a return move, although Arsenal are clearly waiting in the wings just in case.
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