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Sri Lanka will not tour Pakistan unless they get security clearance, Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Nishantha Ranatunga has said

ESPNcricinfo staff23-May-2011Sri Lanka will not tour Pakistan unless they get security clearance, according to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) secretary Nishantha Ranatunga. The PCB had asked SLC for their views on playing the scheduled series between the two sides in Pakistan – at the insistence of the Pakistan government – but Sri Lanka’s concerns indicate the tour is very unlikely to happen.”We have received requests from Pakistan over the past three or four months,” Ranatunga said. “The PCB told us that they would like to host our team as scheduled in the FTP [Future Tours Programme]. We told them our stance that we need security clearance first before sending a team there again.”On Sunday night, a major terrorist attack in Karachi at a naval base – which was eventually held under siege overnight – near the National Stadium further diminished the possibility of Sri Lanka visiting. A PCB official privately conceded the chances of a visit after such an attack were now significantly reduced.On Sri Lanka’s last tour of Pakistan, the tourists’ team bus was attacked on its way to the Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore, cutting the tour short. There has not been any international cricket in Pakistan since. Afghanistan will become the first international team to play in Pakistan next week when they take on Pakistan ‘A’ in three 50-over games, but the PCB were aiming at a higher profile home series.”We have sent them a fresh invite to play the series of three Tests, five one-day internationals and one Twenty20 match in Pakistan in October-November,” PCB spokesman Nadeem Sarwar said on Sunday. “We are waiting for their response but we have given them full security assurances.” His comments came before the reports of the attack in Karachi.SLC interim committee chairman Somachandra de Silva said Sri Lanka responded to the Pakistani invitation saying that they are not going to play the series in Pakistan.”We have replied to the PCB and await their confirmation. We are not going to play in Pakistan at this stage and have offered to host the series in our country,” de Silva told the . “If they agree to play in Sri Lanka they will have to bear the entire hosting costs. We have also expressed our willingness to play at a neutral venue in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.”de Silva had earlier told that security clearance from a Pakistan Task Team, formed by the ICC in 2009, is essential before considering any tour of Pakistan. Ranatunga confirmed that there were several issues that need to be worked out before any series in Pakistan can take place.”Pakistan cricket is going through a difficult period, and we are keen to help them out as they are one of our best friends. But we have to consider the safety of our players,” Ranatunga said. “First we have to get the security clearance. Then only will we discuss it with the cricketers. You have to remember that most of them were victims of the previous attack.”The difficulties in Sri Lanka committing to a tour of Pakistan were put into sharp perspective on Tuesday by Mahela Jayawardene, who was on the bus during the attack and said he still suffers flashbacks. “We were very, very lucky to be alive at the end of it … We were angry that, as innocent people, we had been placed at such risk,” Jayawardene told the . “We know it’s difficult to prevent terrorism but we asked for security and didn’t get it. People died needlessly – and our wives back home were going crazy.”Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan was even more categorical and clearly stated that he won’t be going to Pakistan. “It was a bad experience for me as a cricketer in Pakistan. As a player, I don’t want to go through the same experience in the future,” Dilshan said on Wednesday. “My personal view, I don’t want to go back to play cricket there.”

Middlesex took a massive step closer to promotion by claiming maximum batting bonus points against Leicestershire at Grace Road

13-Sep-2011
Scorecard
Middlesex took a massive step closer to promotion by claiming maximum batting bonus points on the second day of their County Championship Division Two game against Leicestershire at Grace Road. Top-of-the-table Middlesex reached stumps on 401 for 8 and now needed just to avoid defeat to book their place in Division One next season.A fine knock of 97 from Dawid Malan and half-centuries for John Simpson and Gareth Berg were the bedrock of the total that put Middlesex on the brink of promotion with Northamptonshire managing only three batting points against Gloucestershire.There were times, however, when the nerves kicked in for Middlesex and at 320 for 8 in the 85th over they were by no means certain of reaching the 350 total required to collect a fourth batting point. But Berg, joined by Tim Murtagh, safely saw them pass that mark and then the pair cut loose, adding another 50 runs in the next five overs to leave Middlesex in a powerful position with a lead of 82 at the close of play.Berg finished on 70 not out from 81 balls having hit three sixes and five fours as the Leicestershire attack toiled in the evening session. Only off-spinner Jigar Naik, who picked up three wickets, really troubled the Middlesex batsmen who were in control for much of the day.Andrew Strauss and Sam Robson gave them a solid start with an opening stand of 75. Strauss, who survived a confident lbw appeal from Nathan Buck before he had scored, looked in good touch and the partnership produced 50 in nine overs. A 30-minute rain interruption stopped the flow of runs and Strauss was out on the resumption, caught behind by Ned Eckersley for 32 off the bowling of Alex Wyatt.Robson then edged the same bowler to wicketkeeper Eckersley for 46 but Chris Rogers and Malan shared a third-wicket stand of 71 in 22 overs to give Middlesex command again. But, when Rogers and Jamie Dalrymple were both dismissed by successive deliveries from Naik, Middlesex looked in some trouble again.Malan, however, continued to play some fine shots against some loose bowling from the Leicestershire seamers, reaching his 50 off just 59 balls. The 200 total came up via the 31st boundary of the innings with Malan clipping Rob Taylor away to the ropes.But, with a century looking certain Malan was out for 97 off 142 balls, caught behind as he chased a wide delivery from Wayne White. Simpson steadied things again, scoring a half-century off 86 balls before top-edging a catch off Taylor and, when Ollie Rayner and Steven Crook both fell cheaply, Middlesex looked to be stumbling in their bid for the prize.But Berg and Murtagh regained the initiative and by the close the visitors were in a commanding position with every chance of achieving the double over the bottom-of-the-table hosts.

Somerset’s twins Craig and Jamie Overton both have hopes of a championship debut against Lancashire at Taunton on Thursday – but only one of them is likely to be celebrating.

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Apr-2012Somerset’s twins Craig and Jamie Overton both have hopes of a championship debut against Lancashire at Taunton on Thursday – but only one of them is likely to be celebrating.The Overton twins, who have recently returned from an England U19 one-day tour of Australia, are likely to be vying for only one place, which will bring mixed family emotions when Somerset’s final X1 is announced shortly before the start of play.Brian Rose, Somerset’s director of cricket, has given no clues as to whether it will be Craig or Jamie who is preferred. Both have been named in a 12-man squad and a final decision on the team will be made on the morning of the match.”We have had good reports about them from the England U19s’ recent trip and they are in contention,” Rose said. “We will make a decision on which of the twins plays shortly before the game when we have assessed conditions.”Jamie, a fast bowler, looks the probable starter with Craig, an allrounder, as 12th man.The twins play for North Devon CC which is best known as the Instow base of David Shepherd, a former Gloucestershire cricketer and international umpire, and arguably Devon’s most famous cricketing son.Both Overton twins helped North Devon win the Devon Cricket League last summer and they played in the Devon team who became minor counties champions. They made their senior North Devon league debut at 13.If they progress into the Somerset side, they will follow the twins Keith and Kevin Parsons, who represented the county together in the mid-1990s.North Devon flourished during the 2011 season, though they were hit by the death of former player and umpire Bill Shepherd. He was the elder brother of David, who died in 2009 as the club’s most renowned member.

Rob Quiney posted his fourth first-class hundred to give Victoria a good chance of victory in Hobart, where Tasmania were set 319 for an outright win

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Feb-2011
ScorecardRob Quiney made a valuable century for Victoria•Getty ImagesRob Quiney posted his fourth first-class hundred to give Victoria a good chance of victory in Hobart, where Tasmania were set 319 for an outright win. The Tigers took first-innings points but by stumps on the third day they were 1 for 1 in the chase, with Ed Cowan having fallen to James Pattinson for 1 and Nick Kruger and Alex Doolan were yet to score.It was a strong turnaround from the Bushrangers, who conceded a 33-run first-innings deficit and were hampered by their captain Andrew McDonald batting at No. 11 due to a calf injury. But McDonald still made a valuable unbeaten 21 and helped build on the advantage set up by Quiney and the rest of an inexperienced top order.The Victorians have no Cameron White or David Hussey, who are with the World Cup squad, while Chris Rogers is injured and Brad Hodge has retired from the longer game, so it was up to several younger men to stand up. The opener Ryan Carters set things up with 50 and Aaron Finch made 66 to keep Victoria on track, until he was caught at cover off James Faulkner.But the star was Quiney, whose 106 helped the Bushrangers reach 351. The Tasmanians shared the wickets, with three each to Faulkner, Ben Hilfenhaus and Adam Maher, but they’ll need to share the runs on the final day if they are to take full points from this encounter.

West Ham have had a wonderful season despite their defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League semi-finals.

A seventh-place Premier League finish would see David Moyes’ men secure another shot at European glory next year, albeit in the Conference League, and this could be crucial in their pursuit of players who want to showcase their skills on the continent.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-this-weeks-latest-west-ham-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-and-more” title= “Read the latest West Ham news!”]

Howeve, the Scot already has some excellent youngsters at the club and could save a fortune by developing and unleashing them next season to see if they are up to the demands of Premier League football.

One such player is left-back Emmanuel Longelo who has been performing well for the under-23s in Premier League 2 this season, contributing one goal and four assists in 17 appearances.

Roshane Thomas declared the 21-year-old as a player to ‘watch out for’ in 2019, and his stellar performances this year have led many to believe that a stable first-team berth might not be far away.

In fact, he even made his full first-team debut against Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League group stage, with his performance being lauded as “very impressive” by Jack Rosser, and this led to interest from Nottingham Forest during the January transfer window.

Nothing materialised on that front, though, and this could well please Moyes, who will surely be on the lookout for a long-term replacement for Aaron Cresswell, who will turn 33 before the year is out.

The manager won’t have far to look in Longelo, who appears to have the necessary skills and attributes which are required for success at the top level. With a European appearance in his back pocket already, a full pre-season amongst the first team would be a massive boost to his confidence, and he could be a capable and financially sensible solution to the post-Cresswell dilemma.

AND in other news, Forget Rice: Moyes now set for West Ham disaster on “remarkable” £125k-p/w giant

Jacques Kallis was immense, for the second time in this deciding Test, and his strength of will and mastery of technique dragged South Africa out of danger

The Bulletin by George Binoy05-Jan-2011
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Jacques Kallis was in pain, but that did not prevent him from playing a priceless innings for South Africa•AFPJacques Kallis was immense, for the second time in this deciding Test, using his strength of will and mastery of technique to drag South Africa out of danger and then give them the strongest advantage enjoyed by either team in this gripping contest. Kallis battled the challenges posed by India’s bowlers on a wearing pitch, and the constraints and pain of a side strain, to become the only South African to score two centuries in a Test at home. His partnerships of 103 with Mark Boucher, who was also under pressure to perform, and 54 with Dale Steyn came after India were rampant, and they put South Africa in pole position to win the series. The stand of 46 with Morne Morkel simply poured acid into India’s gaping wounds.India’s performance during the first session of this pivotal day was aggressive, but they couldn’t have been more listless in the second and third. On a pitch with cracks that were widening, rough areas that were worsening and bounce that was becoming increasingly variable, India took three wickets and conceded only 69 runs before lunch. They even picked up the sixth wicket soon after the break, when South Africa’s lead was only 128. And then they went to pot, largely due to Kallis’ skill and Boucher’s grit, but also because Harbhajan Singh ran out of ideas, Zaheer Khan’s pace and fitness levels plummeted, and Ishant Sharma’s lines and lengths were atrocious. South Africa added 91 for 1 in the second session, and 129 for 3 in the last. Harbhajan finished with 7 for 120 but only after South Africa’s tailenders, Lonwabo Tsotsobe included, hit him around.Kallis began his masterpiece in the second over of the morning, after Harbhajan had spun an offbreak viciously to trap Alviro Petersen lbw on the back foot. He watched Hashim Amla deflect another offbreak off his arm onto the stumps while sweeping. South Africa had lost 4 for 14.The leg-side field was packed for Harbhajan, with fielders at short leg, leg gully, midwicket, square leg and a man on the boundary. Kallis saw empty expanses on the off side and sent the ball to the point and third-man boundaries by reverse-sweeping Harbhajan. He was playing against the turn, against the bounce, but used the stroke effectively and forced Dhoni to change his field. Kallis then countered Harbhajan by staying back, moving across, playing extremely late and taking the bottom hand off the bat while fending the ball down on the leg side.AB de Villiers struggled to score against Sreesanth, who operated on a tight length outside off stump. Zaheer too kept him quiet, with balls that angled in from round the wicket before seaming away off the pitch. It was the one that came back in that got the wicket, the ball uprooting off and middle stump as de Villiers was late in pulling out of the shot.Kallis continued to battle, the bowling and his injured side. When he pressed forward to one delivery from Harbhajan that spat up at him, he had to jerk to fend it down. He survived it, but was clutching his ribs in pain and lay down on the ground. It was a sight that his cheering fans at Newlands saw several times today.Smart Stats

It’s the second time Jacques Kallis – with knocks of 161 and 109* – has scored a century in both innings of a Test. It is also the first time a South African batsman has scored a century in both innings in home Tests.

Kallis’ century was his 40th in Tests, taking him past Ricky Ponting’s tally of 39. Only Sachin Tendulkar, with 51 centuries is ahead of Kallis.

Kallis’ average of 60.51 is the highest among all batsmen who have scored over 3000 runs in the team second innings in Tests.

Kallis’ aggregate of 498 runs in the series was the 13th occasion that a player has scored 400 or more runs in a three-match series against India.

Harbhajan Singh’s haul of 7 for 120 is his best ever figures in an away Test, surpassing his previous best of 6 for 63 against New Zealand in Hamilton.

After lunch, Kallis continued performing with uninterrupted resolve. India didn’t. Ishant was lucky to dismiss Prince with a short and wide delivery that was slashed to point, but it was his lines against Boucher that marked the beginning of India’s slide. Boucher glanced two deliveries down leg side to the boundary and slapped a wide ball through cover. Ishant’s lines and lengths were so erratic that MS Dhoni had no choice but to take him off.Harbhajan continued to turn the ball, and the odd one jumped, but his attack became predictable and Boucher soon got used to it. Kallis had got used to it long ago. India’s biggest concern, though, was Zaheer, who returned for a two-over spell an hour after lunch and bowled at speeds between 115 and 120 kph. He moved the ball at harmless speeds.South Africa’s lead passed 150, Kallis became his country’s highest run-scorer for a three-Test series, and when he straight drove Ishant to the boundary to reach his half-century, the Newlands crowd loved it. In the first over after tea, Kallis repeated that shot against Sreesanth.Boucher had taken tea on 46, having scored most of his runs on the leg side through sweeps and glances. A back-foot push off Harbhajan on the off, though, brought up his 50 off 74 balls and its briskness was instrumental in blunting India. It took a shooter from Sachin Tendulkar, bowling the 80th over, to trap him lbw.India took the new ball immediately and Steyn mowed a short one from Sreesanth over deep midwicket for six. The lead swelled past 250. Steyn then welcomed Harbhajan’s new spell with a monstrous hit over wide long-on. Harbhajan eventually picked up his fifth wicket – Steyn – 28 overs after his fourth.Kallis watched his partners clout and go but he remained steady and unbeaten. A non-descript single to square leg off Harbhajan brought up his 40th century, moving clear of Ricky Ponting’s tally of 39. Graeme Smith led the cheers in the dressing room, the Indians applauded and Newlands celebrated its superhero. Kallis took of his helmet and beamed, betraying not a trace of the discomfort he was in. It was his finest moment in his finest Test.

Kolkata Knight Riders bounced back to inflict a comprehensive defeat on Royal Challengers Bangalore and keep their own hopes alive in the Champions League

The Report by Siddhartha Talya29-Sep-2011
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Brad Haddin delivered a blistering start to the chase•Associated PressKolkata Knight Riders bounced back to inflict a comprehensive defeat on Royal Challengers Bangalore and keep their own hopes alive in the Champions League while making survival difficult for their opponents. A delightful cameo from the home captain, Daniel Vettori, seemed to have set up a close encounter, but the Knight Riders dominated the chase, reminding the Royal Challengers top order of what they should have done with the bat on a good pitch. Brad Haddin, replacing Shakib Al Hasan, did full justice to his role by delivering a flier at the start while Jacques Kallis anchored the reply with support from Gautam Gambhir.The Knight Riders were left angered and frustrated by Vettori’s crafty batting at the death in the Royal Challengers’ innings, but didn’t let that affect them in the chase. A spate of misfields and fumbles drew ire from Gambhir, but the batting was calm and clinical in its approach. Haddin gave the initial push by stepping up in the second over to smack the left-arm seamer S Aravind, who’s won a call-up to the India squad for the ODIs against England, for three consecutive fours as the bowler struggled with his line.Haddin’s approach came with risks but it wasn’t mindless aggression. He used his feet well against spin, charging out to J Syed Mohammad and dispatching him over long-on, and waiting patiently for Vettori to slip in a bad ball – and he did – before punishing it past point. He was unforgiving against a clutter of length deliveries from a struggling Aravind, carving them for sixes over midwicket and the bowler’s head, interspersed by a slog for a four. When he fell with the score on 62 in the eighth over, the platform had been laid.The rest of the innings seemed meticulously planned. Kallis ceded the floor to Gambhi after launching a six over long-on early in the innings, and the Knight Riders captain played his role superbly. The Royal Challengers had faltered in the field in their previous defeat, and a half-chance that went down was perhaps the one big opportunity they had of a comeback. Saurabh Tiwary failed to latch on to a catch from Gambhir at the long-off boundary, lost his balance and crashed into a member of the support staff in the dugout. Gambhir was on 2 then.As the field spread out, plenty of singles were on offer and the pair rotated the strike comfortably, the required rate in control all through. The timely bursts were provided by Gambhir, who hammered Syed to the straight boundary and past point and clipped an off-the-mark Dirk Nannes past short fine leg. The Royal Challengers didn’t help their cause by doling out extra runs, either by way of overthrows or wides. Nannes was singled out for punishment in the final surge, Kallis reaching his fifty, albeit with a streaky bottom edge, while Gambhir smashed him for two massive sixes over long-on and square leg. That over, the 16th, fetched 24, the win was completed shortly after.A spirited performance from the Knight Riders bowlers had given them the advantage for 14 overs of the hosts’ innings, the early assault from Chris Gayle being the only highlight with the bat until then. Kallis’ stirring reply after being hit for six – a yorker that knocked out Gayle’s leg stump – backed up by Brett Lee’s extra bounce that dislodged Virat Kohli, made up for the early damage.The Royal Challengers didn’t make use of their line-up’s depth, losing wickets after their batsmen got partnerships going, holing out needlessly while an uncharacteristically quiet Tillakaratne Dilshan was stumped smartly by Haddin. With his sly shuffles to the off and the use of those powerful wrists, Vettori, kept company by Syed and Raju Bhatkal, sparked a recovery that left the hosts with the momentum at the end of the innings. It would not be with them for long.After the game, Gambhir was fined $3000 while the rest of the the Knight Riders were fined $1500 per player for being two overs behind the required over rate. The penalty for a slow over rate is $1500 per over for the captain and $750 per over for each of the other players in the starting XI.

Former Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt was widely described as an “honest” and “hard-working” individual and ex-Pakistan leg-spinning great Abdul Qadir claimed him to be a person “with high morals”

Richard Sydenham at Southwark Crown Court20-Oct-2011Former Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt was widely described as an “honest” and “hard-working” individual and ex-Pakistan leg-spinning great Abdul Qadir claimed him to be a person “with high morals”.The comments came as Butt’s defence closed by reading to the court a series character witness accounts. Those from former Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson and from ex-Pakistan strength and conditioning coach David Dwyer were read out the previous evening.At the start of day 12 of the alleged spot-fixing trial in London, Butt’s solicitor Yasin Patel read out those from Qadir, one from his sister, his mother, from former Pakistan trainer Tauseef Razzaq and from an academy coach Azhar Zaidi. All were glowing references.”The Salman Butt that I know is honest, hardworking, truthful, fair, modest, loving, highly-respected, and with a firm commitment to the success of his team and his country,” Qadir said in his. “He supports and cares for all his family and is a young man who helps wherever he can do.”I was shocked about the allegations that were made against him and am surprised with the charges he faces,” Qadir added. “I do not believe he is capable of the acts with which he is charged,” before adding, “There have been many great players in the past and I believe this young man is destined to achieve much in the future.”After these were finished being read out, it was then the turn of Mohammad Asif to take to the witness stand.Butt and Asif are facing charges of conspiracy to cheat and conspiracy to obtain and accept corrupt payments following the Lord’s Test last year when they allegedly conspired with agent Mazhar Majeed, teenager Mohammad Amir and other people unknown to bowl pre-planned no-balls. Butt and Asif deny the charges.

Everton will host Leicester at Goodison Park this evening in an important clash that could push Frank Lampard’s side further into safety from the relegation zone if they can take all three points from the game.

In terms of injury news, despite having an almost fully fit squad when Lampard spoke yesterday in his press conference to confirm the return of Yerry Mina and Donny Van de Beek, there has now been a new injury worry in the team that could see a starting player out for the game ahead.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been named as a doubt for selection following a rumoured injury problem according to journalist Chris Beesley from the Liverpool Echo. However, there is no clarity yet on whether he will play against Leicester City and will likely come down to the game itself for official confirmation of the striker’s condition.

With that being said, this is how Football FanCast expects Everton to line up against Brendan Rodgers’ side…

We expect to see three changes in the team that beat Manchester United, with a 4-2-3-1 formation deployed.

The first change we expect to see is Yerry Mina’s instant inclusion in the selection following his long-term injury problems that have kept him sidelined since the beginning of February when he picked up a high-grade quadriceps tendon injury during the game against Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

The Toffees boss confirmed that the 6 foot 3 defender hailed a “monster” by Michael Ball, will “feature” in today’s team, and we predict he will replace Michael Keane to play alongside Ben Godfrey, which will be a huge boost in the back-line.

The second change that we think we will see in tonight’s game is the return of van de Beek but placed in a more attacking role, allowing the Man United loanee to have more freedom to be creative and play a part in troubling the Foxes defence, his attacking attributes are something he is well known for from his time at Ajax.

The third and final change we predict is Demarai Gray coming in on the left wing to replace Richarlison, who will take the centre-forward role in Calvert-Lewin’s absence.

If the rumours are true that the striker is injured again, Lampard will not be wanting to take any chances on his fitness and will likely either bench the forward or remove him from the squad completely ahead of the Merseyside Derby this weekend.

Everton can go six points clear of 18th place Burnley if they can secure their second win in a row against Leicester tonight, and Lampard will surely be hoping his team can carry their confidence from their surprise win over Man United into the game, especially with the added quality re-joining the side in the likes of Yerry Mina.

AND in other news: Lampard must unleash “unselfish” £22.5m-rated Everton star, he’ll terrify Leicester

On the day he was guaranteed a place in the Perth Test, Steven Smith guided New South Wales to victory with a solid all-round performance against South Australia at the SCG

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Dec-2010
ScorecardSteven Smith performed well with both bat and ball•Getty ImagesOn the day he was guaranteed a place in the Perth Test, Steven Smith guided New South Wales to victory with a solid all-round performance against South Australia at the SCG. Smith took 4 for 112 and then struck an unbeaten 46 to help the Blues to an eight-wicket win, after Callum Ferguson and Daniel Christian fought hard for the Redbacks with twin centuries.Smith has been named in Australia’s 12-man squad for Perth, and the balance of the side means he must play in place of the axed Marcus North. The Blues were only chasing 90 for victory, but Smith’s not-out innings will give him a confidence boost after he won a Test place ahead of several other contenders including his team-mate Usman Khawaja, who was unbeaten on 35 when the Blues reached their goal.Smith had grabbed two wickets on the final day, including the key removal of another Test candidate, Ferguson, who scored 131. Ferguson has two centuries from three Sheffield Shield games this summer and he put together an outstanding 196-run stand with Christian to give the Redbacks hope of salvaging a draw.However, when Christian was lbw to Nathan Hauritz for 106, it sparked a gradual decline for South Australia. Hauritz ended up with a tidy 3 for 62 from 20.1 overs, which was to help New South Wales to victory but not enough for him to win back his place in the Test side.