Herschelle Gibbs and Javagal Srinath were the outstanding performers for the two sides in the recent India-South Africa series that concluded at Centurion Park on Tuesday. While Srinath defied his age and his critics to grab a haul of 13 wickets, Gibbs showed that he has recovered from the trauma of match-fixing ban and drugs scandals that have dogged his career over the last two years. Gibbs scored two centuries in the first two Tests and a 59 in a final game that at the moment has the status of an unofficial Test. Here the two chief performers of the series cast a look back.Q: Looking back at the series, you must be happy with your performances…Gibbs: I am not through yet. I am playing cricket with a lot more confidence. The balance is really good. I am choosing the right ball to hit.Srinath: I have done well, but there is disappointment that we are still searching for that elusive win against South Africa away from home. This is perhaps my last trip to South Africa and, in that respect, I am disappointed.Q: The Indian bowling, except for Srinath, was not all that great. Do you agree with that assessment?Gibbs: I would say that the other bowlers are a bit inexperienced. They also struggled to find the right length and pace for these wickets. But they will get better with more experience. It is a learning curve. Someone like Srinath, who has done a world of good for India’s image, could be a role model.Srinath: I can’t blame them. I also have failed to rise on occasions at times. I agree that a few of our new medium-pacers are raw, but they will get better in due course.Q: How do you assess each other’s performance?Gibbs: Javi (Javagal) is very experienced. He has done really very well every time that he has toured South Africa. You can’t ask for more than that.Srinath: Gibbs has been a fantastic entertainer. He has had ups and downs in his career but has shown remarkable character to come out of the trough. It is not a joke to recover as he has done. I am sure he is only going to get better in coming times.Q: What do you think the future holds for you?Gibbs: My priority will be to do well in Australia. Most of their wickets are like ours, except perhaps for Melbourne. I also know that the Australian media always targets the key players of the opposition. You know they will chirp, you know how they play the game, so you have got to be prepared for it. There is no point in contemplating in what will happen next. You just accept it and get on with the job.Srinath: I am taking it series by series at the moment. I have reached that stage of my career when I have to plan my cricket. I have cut down on my pace; I don’t think I am as fast as I used to be. I understand that I am ageing and must bowl accordingly. I have enjoyed every moment of my career. There have been disappointments along the way for sure, but overall I owe a great deal to the game.Q: Do you think you are right there at the top of your game at the moment?Gibbs: I think I have improved since I first started opening the innings. My shot selection has improved, and I have become a tighter batsman than before. Gary (Kirsten) has also been a great help, and we share a wonderful understanding.Srinath: I know it I am not a Glenn McGrath or a Wasim Akram or a Waqar Younis. So I have to keep going within my limitations. I am out for the first Test against England at Mohali, but I am pretty sure that I will be available for selection for the final two Tests of the series.
Celtic goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas is likely to leave the club in the summer, according to journalist Giannis Chorianopoulos.
The Lowdown: Ajeti news
Barkas isn’t the first player to be linked with a summer exit this month, with the Hoops telling forward Albian Ajeti he is free to find a new club at the end of the season.
The striker isn’t thought to be in Ange Postecoglou’s plans, playing just under 300 minutes of Premiership action all season, and Barkas has also been frozen out at Parkhead.
The goalkeeper has made just two appearances in all competitions, and he too looks like he could finally seal a move away over the coming months.
The Latest: Barkas to follow?
Greek journalist Chorianopoulos took to Twitter on Tuesday evening to provide the latest on Barkas’ situation, claiming that the player’s representatives are already on the lookout for options.
“Seems that Barkas will leave Celtic in summer. His side are checking options from now.”
The Verdict: Needed
Exits for Ajeti and Barkas in the summer appear to be needed, as they are clearly not fancied by Postecoglou and are earning £18,000-a-week and £9,000-a-week respectively.
Barkas, labelled as ‘horrendous’ by pundit Tam McManus, hasn’t lived up to expectations following his £4.5m move, with McManus also labelling the shot-stopper as a ‘waste of money’.
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A permanent exit would be best for all involved, however, the Hoops may have to accept a loss on the goalkeeper, especially with his Transfermarkt valuation dropping from £4.5m to £1.35m in recent years.
In other news: ‘Oh my god…’ – Celtic pundit fuming at ‘unbelievable’ news he’s hearing from Parkhead.
A magnificent spell of 6 for 49 from Dale Steyn decimated a feeble New Zealand and led to South Africa winning the second and final Test at Centurion inside three days by an innings and 59 runs. It was Steyn’s second ten-wicket haul in consecutive Tests, and New Zealand now limp towards a three-match one-day series.This was a rout of frightening speed. It took South Africa just 34.3 overs to steamroll New Zealand for 136, a total that included Stephen Fleming’s 54. Scott Styris scraped together 29; Brendon McCullum 21, while extras stole 11. The rest aren’t worth talking about.Steyn, however, is. For the second time in consecutive Tests he baffled – even occasionally frightened – New Zealand’s wary top-order with pace, movement and aggression. As was the case in Johannesburg, he received fine support from Makhaya Ntini, Andre Nel and Jacques Kallis – all of whom were good, if not as exemplary as their young colt. Today, however, Steyn had one other helping hand: the finger of Mark Benson.Lou Vincent was the first unlucky recipient when Benson adjudged that a leg-side slider would somehow have hit the stumps. It was a dreadful decision, but such is the way of the world when all is against you. Steyn, roaring up to the crease and in excellent rhythm, removed Michael Papps leg-before (plumb, this time) while Kallis ended Styris’ staunch support of Fleming when he induced a thick outside edge.Fleming batted angrily, petulantly and excellently – as he has in both these Tests – taking the aggressive route and seizing upon another short and wide. Of course, 105 Tests have taught him the value of patience and experience – both attributes which New Zealand lack in spades, as exemplified by Ross Taylor.After thumping two fours, Nel roared a typically raucous and unlikely appeal for lbw which Taylor, and the umpire, dismissed out of hand. Noticing he had wandered from his crease, Hashim Amla at short-leg grabbed the ball and flicked it onto the stumps to run him out. Clever of Amla; careless and plain daft from Taylor. It rather sums up New Zealand cricket at the momentFleming too fell victim to a debatable decision when a Steyn inducker trapped him in front, fifth man to depart, for a valiant 54, and the last four (Craig Cumming flew home yesterday following surgery) fell within 28 balls to complete the trouncing.South Africa cricket is shining at the moment. First their success in Pakistan, now a thrashing of New Zealand – but two shadows lurk. The first is the pitches which have been criticised by the captain, Graeme Smith. South Africa didn’t have it all their own way today – they collapsed, too, from 272 for 3 to 332 for 8 owing to a fine debut performance from Mark Gillespie. 17 wickets have fallen on a third-day pitch.Secondly, South Africa only needed three people to win this series: Amla (291 @ 145.50), Kallis (346 @ 115) and Steyn (20 wickets @ 9.20). This says more about the paucity of talent in New Zealand cricket, of course, but the home side were only remotely troubled in three sessions out of two Tests. It has hardly tested their mettle.What an introduction to Test captaincy it has been for Daniel Vettori.
Sialkot Stallions 151 (Imran Nazir 46, Fawad Alam 5-27) beat Karachi Dolphins 137 for 7 (Fawad Alam 54) by 14 runs ScorecardThe fast emerging talented young cricketer Fawad Alam swept away most of the individual awards on a night to remember, but he still couldn’t help his team Karachi Dolphins win the Twenty20 Cup final, as they were defeated by 14 runs by defending champions Sialkot Stallions at the National Stadium.Playing without their skipper Shahid Afridi, who had proceeded to perform the Haj, the Dolphins were visibly depleted but they did well to bowl the Stallions out for 151 in their 20 overs, after having asked them to bat in the day/night encounter.But in spite of the left-handed Fawad’s heroics, the Dolphins fell short by 14 runs in the end, scoring 137 for 7 by the time their overs ran out. With his left-arm slows Fawad first took 5 for 27 in his four overs and then hit a 43-ball 54, with three fours and a six, playing on for a while after having suffered from severe cramps and batting with a runner.The Stallions retained the title they won in 2005-06 also and bagged the glittering trophy and a whopping cash award of a million rupees. The Dolphins were still richer by Rs 500,000 as the runners-up.The 21-year-old Fawad was not only declared Man of the Match but also named Man of the Series. In addition, he won both the Best Batsman and Best Bowler prizes. All awards were worth Rs 25,000 each. Mohammad Salman of Faisalabad Wolves was declared the tournament’s Best Wicketkeeper and fast bowler Mohammad Asif of Sialkot Stallions clinched the Best Fielder award.Sialkot were off to an 80 runs start in 8.4 overs but their last seven wickets fell for 35 runs in 28 balls. Imran Nazir hit 46 off 31 balls with seven fours and a six while Shoaib Malik made 31 off 23 balls with a four and two sixes.When the Dolphins batted, they just couldn’t build up the tempo as the Sialkot bowlers kept them in check. As many as 23 runs were needed in the last over but three wickets fell while Tahir Mughal bowled very intelligently.
As preparations for a major tournament go, an 11-0 pasting in Bangladesh was as demoralising as it was unexpected for an England side which had sailed through the summer with crushing victories against Sri Lanka. Now with the World Cup in Sri Lanka looming, England need to bounce back – and fast.To this end they have new strategies, new players and a new captain, the outrageously talented batsman Moeen Ali who turned professional aged just 15. “It’s a massive honour,” says Ali, now 18. “To be honest I didn’t expect it at all.”His coming-of-age has been swift. “Three months ago I used to mess about and have a joke but now I take life more seriously. I don’t know why.” England’s coach Andy Pick is at a loss to explain the lightning-quick transformation, too. “I don’t know what it is, I’ve never seen anyone change so fast,” he says, but whatever it was, the awesome Ali was immediately rewarded with a chance to shine as captain.”He’s got all the shots and when on form people can’t bowl against him,” Pick says. “He was easily the best against Sri Lanka. But natural talent on its own won’t be enough. He’s far more grown-up and level-headed now.” As if to prove this point Ali announces: “I get on well with everybody and I hope that if there’s a problem they could talk to me. I want to set an example for people to follow in performing well all the time.”But what of the deposed captain, Varun Chopra? “It is disappointing – I would have liked to captain,” Chopra, who will vice-captain the side instead, admits unsurprisingly. “But it gives me more of an opportunity to concentrate on my batting.”
The opening batsman had a largely indifferent tour with the bat – although he came good towards the end with a 77 and a 98 – but Pick says the decision was no slight on the capable Chopra who had, after all, led his country to a clean sweep in the Tests and one-dayers against Sri Lanka in the summer and performed creditably himself. “Varun captained the side in contrasting series. Results are no reflection of his leadership qualities. Moeen has come to the fore and deserves a go.”Chopra says loyally of Ali: “He’s my best mate in the team and I will be able to help out with advice, too.” Ali is equally complimentary: “Varun’s a very good captain. It will be good for me. He’s someone I can talk to a lot.”The pair, who have been very firmly tipped for the top, will need to be at their brilliant best if they are to lead England to the trophy they last won in 1997-98 under Owais Shah. For Ali, there is no doubt: “We will definitely win it and play either Bangladesh or India in the final.” Chopra is more cautious: “We’re going to take it one match at a time and aim for the quarter-finals”.It’s a view shared by Pick. “That’s very honourable and patriotic of Moeen,” he smiles, “but I think I’m a little closer to what Varun says. Even so, I would be bitterly, bitterly disappointed if we didn’t get to the quarter-finals.”England have been drawn in a group with Nepal, Ireland and Zimbabwe. “We’ve been fortunate with our group,” says Pick, “although that’s not to underestimate any of the teams. Eoin Morgan of Ireland, for example, is a quality player. He only needs to hit 120 to derail our World Cup campaign.”I would imagine India will be favourites,” he adds. “They are a strong side who won the Afro-Asia Cup.”Most of the teams will be an unknown quantity, chopping and changing as they do at this level. “To be honest we only know Bangladesh and Sri Lanka,” says Chopra, “so we are concentrating on playing to our potential.”Ah yes, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. How did they lose so badly on the winter tour? “We underestimated them both a little bit,” says Ali. “We knew it would be hard against Sri Lanka although we smashed them here. Bangladesh we always thought we had a chance of beating, but couldn’t get in the winning rhythm – a few times we should have finished them off.””It definitely wasn’t expected,” admits Chopra, while Pick explains: “We went out there having had a three-month break from outdoor cricket, which they hadn’t had. We also had to adjust to getting up at half-six for a match starting at quarter to eight.” The list goes on. “A change of team,” adds Ali, “a lot of new players. It spun a lot and was hot. We had injuries and illnesses – a lot of bad luck. But, we learnt more by losing every game rather than winning. Everyone’s learnt how to live better as a team, how to eat better.””The pitches in Bangladesh are a lot different to English conditions,” says Chopra. “As the tour went on we were bowling better lengths.” Also, they had a lot more exposure to spin. “I’m not saying we’ve cracked it [playing spin],” admits Pick. “But I hope we have learnt something.”Debriefs and rebriefs at the ECB Academy followed while a chastened England tried to make sense of their drubbing and regroup in time to challenge for the honours. “It’s easy to get bullish in the classroom at Loughborough,” says Pick, “but we have to take that on the field and prove ourselves then.”Their first opportunity comes in Malaysia, essentially an acclimatisation tour but, with three warm-up games, it is one which will take on great psychological significance, as Ali acknowledges: “We have to get back into the winning rhythm.”And they need confidence, too. “You have to believe,” says Pick. “I do believe and the players do too.”
As if England’s impending defeat was not enough to dampen the spirits in the dressing-room, the news that Andrew Flintoff was suffering from”discomfort in his left side” was the last thing they needed. Add to that afreak injury in the nets for Matthew Hoggard, and it all made for asour-faced press conference from England’s coach, Duncan Fletcher.As a precaution, Hoggard did not bowl after being struck on the back ofthe heel in the morning practice session, but it was later revealed to beno more serious than soft tissue bruising. Flintoff’s problem, however, is more serious and will have to wait until the morning until its full extent is unveiled. Hewas checked by a doctor after lasting just 45 minutes in the field this morning,but Fletcher remained optimistic that all would be fine.Less fine, however, is England’s match situation. They finished the day on151 for 5, with just Graham Thorpe of the specialist batsmen remaining.And once again, Fletcher’s rage was communicated in his peculiarly pent-upmanner, as he chastised some of his players for their “soft” dismissals.”We turned it around at Durban,” he said, “but it’s up to individuals toshow more patience. Some of the batters wanted to play attacking cricket.”Fletcher brushed aside criticism of Michael Vaughan’s form: he hasmanaged just 84 runs in the series so far. “It was the same with Nasser[Hussain],” he shrugged. “We see him as an allrounder as he’s captainedthe side well, and I’m sure he’ll get runs soon.” But he did suggest thathis team ought to have learned from the example set by the home boy,Jacques Kallis, one of Fletcher’s own charges during his time as coach ofWestern Province.”Kallis sometimes gets criticised by his own people,” said Fletcher, “butwith the amount of times he’s played here, he knows it’s not an easywicket. It can lull you into a false sense of security. It’s very slow,but then one bounces on you, and if you’re playing a shot you’re introuble. You’ve got to concentrate as much as on a wicket that is zippingaround.”South Africa have had no such problems about learning from their mistakes,however, as Shaun Pollock was proud to point out. “You’re bound to makemistakes in Test cricket,” he said. “It’s how you react to them and learnfrom them that counts, and I think we’ve learned well. We weren’t verygood at Port Elizabeth, nowhere near where we needed to be, but we’veresponded well to that.”After letting England off the hook in the second innings at Durban,Pollock was cagey about predicting victory tomorrow, but he admitted he wouldbe “very, very disappointed” if England got away again. “We’ve bowled wellas a unit and we’ve got the big five out, but now we’ve got to push theadvantage home.””Hanging on in Durban gave us momentum,” said Pollock, who added thatwinning the toss and sticking England back out in the sun just two daysafter that game had worked in their favour. “Graeme [Smith’s] been superbwith the toss. I’ve been there as well, and to be back in the field aftera long bowling session, mentally it works on mind and plays on body. Theway we’ve gone about it is bearing fruit.””To have been 2-0 behind here would be a big ask. But the new ball’s due,the guys fresh, and after a good night’s rest, we’ll make the new ballwork in the morning.”
In a departure from his earlier stand, VVS Laxman has indicated that he is willing to bat at the top of the order. According to a report by the Press Trust of India, Laxman said: “I would not mind opening the innings.”Talking about his performances as an opener, Laxman expressed his disappointment with his record as a Test opener: 658 runs at 28.60. "I tried my best as an opening bat, but I think I did not live upto my own expectations. Also, the moment I failed one or two times they branded me a non-regular opener. I thought I could do better as a middle-order batsman because that’s the position I have batted throughout my career."Looking back at his omission from the World Cup squad, Laxman said that it was a "huge shock". "It was the most depressing moment in my cricketing career. For the past one year prior to the event, I was preparing really hard to contribute."Shrugging off that disappointment, Laxman said that he was back in top shape after having recovered from his side strain. "I had sustained a side strain on the West Indies tour [with the India A team] and had to take a month’s rest. Since then I have been doing exercises to strengthen my back."Laxman was also full of praise for the idea of holding a preparatory camp at the start of the season. "It is a really good idea to have this camp and it is good that they are emphasising a lot on fitness. Already, this camp has helped me recuperate and make the back really strong."India play a two-Test series against New Zealand next month, and Laxman was keen to make up for his failures on India’s tour to New Zealand. “We had a bad away series in New Zealand and the entire team is looking forward to this one. It is important that before we go to Australia our confidence level should be really high, so this series is important.”
State Auckland Aces coach and convener of selectors, Tony Sail has today named a strong team to play current State Max and State Championship title holders, the State Wellington Firebirds in a three-day warm up game starting on Monday at the Devonport Domain.Changes to the team that played the New Zealand Academy team in Christchurch last week include the selection of Rob Nicol and Richard Morgan for Aaron Barnes and Mark Haslam, who are both unavailable because of work commitments. Reece Young replaces Stephen Pearson as wicket-keeper having fulfilled his duties with the New Zealand Academy.Eighteen-year-old Nicol, New Zealand Cricket’s Young Player to Lord’s for 2001, will make his debut for the State Auckland Aces.”Rob Nicol has been putting in some top performances for Cornwall in the early rounds of the Crown Relocations Cup.”This gives him an opportunity to further his claims for selection in the State Aces, and the New Zealand Under-19 team to be named at the end of November.”Rob further strengthens the middle order and gives us another slow bowling option in the game,” Sail said.The State Auckland Aces team is:Tim McIntosh, Matt Horne, Llorne Howell, Richard Pudney, Rob Nicol, Tama Canning, Kyle Mills, Brooke Walker (captain), Reece Young, Andre Adams, Richard Morgan, Chris Drum.
Celtic defender Osaze Urhoghide has admitted he is open to a permanent Parkhead exit.
The Lowdown: KV Oostende loan
The 21-year-old was actually Ange Postecoglou’s first signing in charge at Parkhead, who described the defender as ‘ambitious’ and hailed Urhoghide as having all the ‘attributes on and off the field’ to become a ‘top player’. [Sky Sports]
However, he made just one senior appearance in green and white before joining KV Oostende on loan in January. The Belgian side also negotiated an option to buy in the deal for Urhoghide, as they did with former Celtic man Jack Hendry.
The Latest: Urhoghide’s comments
Talking in an interview shared on Oostende’s website on Wednesday, Urhoghide was asked about the purchase option and if he sees his future in Belgium.
This is what he had to say in reply, revealing he would be ‘very happy’ if he was still an Oostende player next season.
“I will be very happy if I still play at Ostend next season. I’m having a great time here, but I also felt great in Celtic! I now have to try to prove myself, so that KV Oostende will certainly consider the purchase option. And then we’ll see what happens.”
The Verdict: A mistake?
It did come as a surprise knowing that the Hoops gave the green light to an option to buy clause, especially after Hendry’s stint with Oostende and the fact Urhoghide is only six months into a four-year deal.
The Scot impressed on loan from Celtic which resulted in Oostende exercising their option to buy clause for just £990,000 before selling Hendry in the same window for £4.05m. [Transfermarkt]
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
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A permanent deal is already in place for Urhoghide, so Celtic chiefs will be hoping lightning doesn’t strike twice when it comes to a loanee starring in Belgium and missing out on a major profit.
In other news: BBC journalist reveals Celtic defender now out for ‘lengthy period’ as hamstring issues continue.
Jamie Siddons has become the latest Australian to take charge of a Test team after accepting the role as coach of Bangladesh. Siddons, an assistant coach with Australia, will arrive in Dhaka on Monday to finalise his contract.Last month it was reported that Siddons was unlikely to become the team’s coach after his terms and conditions did not match those of the Bangladesh board. But today Siddons said: “I am thrilled to announce that I have accepted an offer from the BCB to coach the Bangladesh national team.”Siddons is considered one of Australia’s greatest domestic players never to win a Test cap. He made 11,587 first-class runs at 44.91, playing for Victoria and South Australia between 1984-85 and 1999-2000, and played a solitary ODI in Lahore in 1988.Siddons has been continually involved with the national team since retirement. He was appointed as a senior coach at the Centre of Excellence before the 2005 Ashes and then became an assistant coach with the Australian team.Bangladesh have been looking for a coach since Dav Whatmore decided to quit the post following India’s tour of Bangladesh in May. Shaun Williams, the assistant coach, has been in charge of side since then. Siddons’ appointment means Australia, West Indies, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh all have former Australian state or international players coaching them.