Category Uncategorized

Jamie Cox, the on-duty selector at The Oval, has taken responsibility for Australia not playing Nathan Hauritz

Cricinfo staff28-Aug-2009Jamie Cox, the on-duty selector at The Oval, has taken responsibility for Australia not playing Nathan Hauritz on a dry and dusty pitch that gave significant assistance to spinners. The captain and coach, Ricky Ponting and Tim Nielsen, have already conceded Hauritz should have played but Cox said it was ultimately his call that led to a four-man pace attack being chosen.”The raw emotion of the past few days has dissipated,” Cox told the after arriving home to Adelaide. “People for some reason think that we really don’t care about the fact that we lost – that it’s all okay for us and we just move onto the next one. If the team loses then we are scrutinised and deservedly so.”The only way we can get selections right is if the team wins. We all understand that. We’re not shying away from the fact that we made an error at the end. Of course we should have played a spinner. Ultimately it’s my call. That’s why you don’t feel all that good about it when it turns out badly.”Cox said he realised half an hour into the Test that he had misjudged the surface, which turned out to be slow and brought eight wickets for England’s offspinner Graeme Swann. Instead of choosing Hauritz, Australia selected Stuart Clark as a fourth fast man but he had almost no impact, although Australia’s lacklustre first-innings batting was the real turning point. It led to a hefty deficit from which Australia could not recover, and their 197-run defeat meant a 2-1 series win for England.The Oval was not the only venue at which Cox had a major decision to make. He said the axing of the promising but out-of-form Phillip Hughes at Edgbaston was a particularly hard call.”The decision to leave out Phil Hughes was the toughest thing I’ve had to do as a selector,” Cox said. “But [Shane] Watson gave us real presence at the top of the order. Yeah, we made a mistake at the end and no one’s walking away from that. Our Ashes, up until that one very well-defined moment, went very well for us.”

Crystal Palace have entered a new chapter in their history under the tutelage of Patrick Vieira, and the Frenchman could oversee a fresh wave of homegrown talent entering the senior ranks.

The Eagles have recently seen their academy facilities upgraded to Category 1 status after significant investment, and the fruits of their labour are already starting to show.

Last season, the under-18s only missed out on the league title to local rivals Fulham on goal difference, with several young stars making a name for themselves through a string of impressive performances.

One of those who caught the eye was 19-year-old midfielder Aiden Steele. The Northern Irishman joined Palace’s youth system in July 2019, but he really burst onto the scene last season.

He started 24 games for the under-18s throughout 2020/21, captaining them on 17 occasions, and was rewarded for his efforts in the engine room with a call-up to Shaun Derry’s under-23 setup.

The teenager has cultivated an enviable reputation for himself within the south London club, with the Eagles’ official website lauding his commitment both on and off the field.

“Steele’s grit and determination in midfield is coupled with professionalism and hard work off it,” his profile reads.

The praise for Steele inside Selhurst Park does not stop there. In a recent interview, youth coach Paddy McCarthy reportedly labelled the engine room operator “an honest and top professional” and someone who is “the first one out and the last one to leave the training pitch.”

His eye-catching displays for the club earned the youngster a call-up to the Northern Ireland under-21s in March for the very first time, but he remains ambitious to go even further in his career.

“I think I probably model myself on Toni Kroos as he has such a great passing range, touch and football brain,” Steele recently admitted. “I love the way he reads the game and can dictate a game with his one and two touch passing.”

With current Palace midfielders Luka Milivojevic, James McArthur and Cheikhou Kouyate all 30 or over and entering the twilight period of their careers, there could be an opportunity for Vieira to unearth a real gem over the coming years, but only time will tell if Steele gets his opportunity to impress at Selhurst Park.

In other news… Journalist claims “technical” CPFC gem is a “great option” for Vieira, fans will love him 

Southampton secured a much-needed victory over Watford at Vicarage Road thanks to a brilliant strike from Che Adams.

The Scotland international’s perfectly-weighted effort curled over a helpless Ben Foster on the 20-minute mark and it proved enough to seal a first away win in the Premier League for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s charges this season.

Despite Adams’ match-winning effort, though, it was arguably full-back Kyle Walker-Peters who was the Saints’ real star of the show during a satisfying afternoon for the away side.

He set the tone early on with a lung-busting run down the left flank before providing a brilliant cutback for Adam Armstrong, but the out-of-form forward couldn’t provide the finish.

The £16.2m-rated gem then showed his class in a defensive sense as well. Watford’s Ismaila Sarr thought he had scored the equaliser following a quick breakaway, but Walker-Peters managed to get himself in the way of the attacker’s shot, making a vital goal-line clearance in the process.

His outstanding efforts at both ends of the pitch resulted in SofaScore awarding him an eight out of 10, the highest total received by any player on the pitch.

Throughout the 90 minutes, Walker-Peters won five duels, made three clearances and created one big chance, illustrating his effective performance at both ends of the pitch.

Hampshire Live journalist Rob Warlow was also impressed by the versatile full-back’s showing against the Hornets, writing: “Restored to the team at left-back and he did well, getting forward from defence to support the attack.

“He did his job defensively too against a difficult opponent in Ismaila Sarr, with Walker-Peters getting back superbly to make a goalline clearance to deny the Watford winger an equaliser.”

With Aston Villa up next for Southampton, the Saints will be hoping to build some momentum for the weeks ahead, and on today’s showing, Walker-Peters could be crucial if they are to do just that.

In other news… Ralph may be hit with big blow as transfer news emerges, Saints fans surely concerned 

Neil McCann has lamented Alfredo Morelos’ attitude after what he spotted following Rangers’ win over St Mirren on Sunday. 

The lowdown

The 25-year-old scored what turned out to be the winning goal as the Gers came from behind to win at St Mirren Park.

It was his 100th goal in Rangers colours, just over four years on from his arrival from HJK Helsinki. The Colombian reached the milestone in 199 appearances (via Transfermarkt).

Incidentally, the win saw Steven Gerrard’s side go three points clear at the top of the Premiership after second-placed Hearts were held to a draw by Dundee.

The latest

McCann claimed that he saw Morelos snub a request for a post-match interview from in-house media, saying that the Gers striker should have granted the club channel the courtesy and confessed himself ‘puzzled’ by his behaviour.

“Just a wee side note,” he told BBC Sportsound, as quoted by The Daily Record. “I’m watching, I think, one of the press officers walking out with Alfredo Morelos.

“I think Rangers TV have just asked for an interview and he’s just strolled right past them.

“Just strolled right passed them as if he’s not interested. I just think it’s really poor. Sometimes his attitude puzzles me, it really does.

“Everybody I speak to in house says he’s a great guy, and you get him the wrong way.

“But I think scoring 100 goals today, which turns out to be the winner and your club channel wants to get your thoughts on it, whether his English is great or not, just one question would’ve been good.”

The verdict

There are certainly grounds to question Morelos’ attitude. Last season, Rangers accepted charges of violent conduct against the 25-year-old after incidents against Hibernian and Dundee United (via BBC Sport).

Overall, he’s racked up seven red cards since he arrived at Ibrox, along with 50 yellows, and his apparent snub of the club’s in-house media outlets is very much a blot on the copybook of a player whose exploits in front of goal have been hugely impressive.

In other news, some Rangers fans were left fuming by this development.

أعلن المدير الفني لفريق الكرة الأول بنادي الزمالك جيسفالدو فيريرا قائمة لاعبيه لمباراة فيوتشر إف سي المرتقبة.

ومن المقرر أن يستضيف استاد الأهلي we السلام مباراة الزمالك وفيوتشر في الجولة السابعة والعشرين من عمر الدوري المصري الممتاز.

طارق يحيى: الدوري أقرب لـ بيراميدز من الأهلي.. وتألق الشباب أعاد حسابات الزمالك في الصفقات

وشهدت القائمة استبعاد كل من يوسف أسامة نبيه لعدم الجاهزية الفنية بعد التعافي من الإصابة في العضلة الأمامية.

واستبعد سيف فاروق جعفر لعدم الجاهزية الفنية بعد خلع الجبيرة من يده، بالإضافة إلى استمرار إصابة عمر السعيد بشد عضلي، ويخوض الزمالك مباراته وهو محتلًا المركز الأول في ترتيب الدوري برصيد 60 نقطة.

وفي الوقت ذاته يتواجد فريق فيوتشر الصاعد حديثًا للدوري الممتاز، في المرتبة الرابعة برصيد 42 نقطة.

The Yorkshire Evening Post’s Graham Smyth has dropped an intriguing claim on Leeds United loanee Alfie McCalmont, even making some comparisons between him and Arsenal star Ben White.

What’s the story?

The 21-year-old McCalmont has joined League One side Morecambe on a season-long loan after spending the previous campaign in League Two with Oldham, and Smyth has now suggested that if he wants to make his mark on Marcelo Bielsa’s team in the years to come, he will have his work cut out.

He said: “You can never rule anything out, but he’ll have to do what Ben White did and show he can handle the step up to L1 with real comfort, having done well in L2. Leeds would have listened to permanent offers this summer though so he has his work cut out. Lots of potential I think.”

Fans will be intrigued

The midfielder was in impressive form for Oldham last season, scoring ten goals in 41 games in all competitions, and providing a further five assists too, being a key reason behind why they avoided relegation to non-league.

After seeing him make waves at Boundary Park, former Leeds man Noel Whelan waxed lyrical about the midfielder, saying: “He is a player that is immensely talented and he will do very well for Oldham. The way he plays the game is very intelligent.

“This is not a loan with a view to a permanent move from Leeds, this is a learning process. You have to be mentally tough to go out on loan, especially in League Two because it is more direct and robust compared to what you would get in the Premier League and Championship. He will be learning a lot about his game.”

And, speaking after he saw the 21-year-old put pen to paper on a new long-term deal to stay at Elland Road, Whelan insisted that Bielsa should be looking to utilise him more often.

He said: “A very good player, great on the ball and a good football mind. He is one that is learning his trade from watching Kalvin and being in and around that first-team setup.

“It is important that these young lads are integrated. It is vital for their progression and to give them confidence to step in when needed because there will be injuries and suspensions. Use them – that is why you have an academy and youth policy.”

Another season away out on loan, this time at Morecambe, will stand the youngster in good stead and if he performs well, he could give Bielsa another option in the middle of the park next season.

Leeds fans will be intrigued to see if McCalmont does indeed show shades of White and come through the divisions to eventually make his mark at Elland Road.

Meanwhile, Victor Orta delivered a Leeds masterclass…

A journalist has dropped why Newcastle United were unable to sign Hamza Choudhury on Transfer Deadline Day.

The Lowdown: Choudhury linked

There were a number of reports throughout the window of Choudhury being linked with a move to St. James’ Park, as Liam Kennedy claimed that a deal could go down to the wire (Newcastle World).

Writing in a piece for The Chronicle, Mark Douglas claimed that Choudhury was ‘keen’ on a loan move to the North East, and that there was a ‘willingness’ from both teams to try and sort out a deal.

The Latest: Why move failed

Writing for The Chronicle, Ciaran Kelly has now shared why a move for Choudhury to the Tyneside club never materialised in the end.

According to the journalist, Leicester City ultimately decided against letting the central midfield player go because Brendan Rodgers could not sign his ‘favoured replacement’.

Choudhury was reportedly ‘hoping’ that he could sign for Steve Bruce’s side, and the Foxes were ‘open’ to doing a deal, but not being able to bring in the replacement meant that he had to stay put.

The Verdict: Shame

It is certainly a shame that the Magpies did not end up signing Choudhury, especially given that they only managed to bring in one first-team player in the shape of Joe Willock from Arsenal.

The Englishman has plenty of experience of playing in the Premier League, and would have offered Bruce another handy option in midfield.

Nonetheless, the Toon may now have to wait until the January window to try again for Choudhury – if their form continues the way it is, it could be too late by then.

In other news, find out why NUFC’s Deadline Day move for this 22-year-old failed here!

India go into the second ODI against England in Indore with Ishant Sharma virtually ruled out of the game and are waiting for a final decision on Yuvraj Singh’s fitness, which will be assessed on Monday morning.Ishant missed the first match of the series because of an ankle injury he sustained during the Test series against Australia. “Ishant is virtually out of the match because, if he doesn’t play here, it will give him five-seven days’ time to recover,” India’s captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, said.Yuvraj was the Man of the Match for his 138 off 78 balls in India’s 158-run victory in Rajkot but he hurt his back during the course of that innings and needed a runner. He did not field while India were bowling and did not practice today in Indore either. Dhoni said there was “considerable improvement in Yuvraj’s condition” but India would “take a final call on him before the match”.Dhoni expected the pitch in Indore to play differently from the one in Rajkot. Both captains wanted to bowl in the first match and Dhoni later said that losing the toss was a blessing. India were sent in by Kevin Pietersen and scored 387 for 5 on a flat pitch and a fast outfield.”The toss is important. The wicket will not be like the one at Rajkot. There will be wear and tear as the match progresses. It’s dry and it will become slow and it will be difficult to score,” Dhoni said, before adding, “but all these are only predictions.”This is the first series for both teams under the new playing conditions, which allows the batting side to decide when to take one Powerplay, and Dhoni said that the change “made the game more interesting”. India took their Powerplay after the 34th over in Rajkot and scored 41 off it.”It’s quite early to say [how it affects the outcome of a match],” Dhoni said. “One has to have a few options to deal with it. Generally the batting team decides to take it soon after the change of ball [mandatory after 34 overs]. It depends on what sort of starts the teams get.”India crushed England in the first one-dayer but Dhoni said that his team were guarding against complacency and remained “focused on what needs to be done” to win in Indore on Monday.

Fulham have been dealt a blow in their bid to bring Matt Grimes to Craven Cottage this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Athletic, who claim that Marco Silva’s side have seen a second bid, believed to be in the region of £2.5m, for the Swansea City central midfielder rejected.

The report goes on to state that, at present, it appears unclear whether the Cottagers will return with a third offer for the 26-year-old in the coming days, while also suggesting that Fulham will be aware the Swans are in a difficult position regarding the former England U21 international, as he has just one year remaining on his current contract at the Liberty Stadium.

Silva will be gutted

Following Fabrizio Romano’s claim that Andre Zambo Anguissa looks set to join Napoli in the coming hours, the fact that Fulham have seen their offer rejected for a player who could well be Silva’s replacement for the Cameroon international is sure to have left the Portuguese manager gutted.

It is easy to see why Silva seems to be so keen on the Swansea City captain, as the 26-year-old would very much appear to make a fantastic addition to his Fulham side, something his form from last season illustrates perfectly.

Indeed, over his 45 Championship appearances for the Swans last term, the £6.3m-rated man scored two goals, provided three assists and created three big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of one shot and making 0.8 key passes per game.

The man Steve Cooper dubbed an “excellent” player also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 1.5 interceptions, 2.1 tackles, 1.3 clearances and winning 5.3 duels in each league fixture.

These returns saw the £10k-per-week midfielder earn a highly impressive seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.04, ranking him as his side’s fifth-best performer in the second tier of English football.

As such, it is clear to see that a deal for Grimes would be a fantastic transfer for Fulham to get over the line this summer, particularly following the news that Anguissa could be on his way out of west London by the end of the day.

However, with Swansea standing firm on their demands for the 26-year-old at present, Silva will have to weigh up whether or not he can afford to go back with an improved offer for the central midfielder in the coming days.

In other news: Get him gone: Silva must ruthlessly axe Fulham’s “valuable” £24k-p/w Jokanovic flop

Yellow cards could be introduced to English first-class cricket for abusing umpires or excessive sledging if trials at minor county level prove a success

Cricinfo staff12-Nov-2008Yellow cards could be introduced to English first-class cricket for abusing umpires or excessive sledging if trials at minor county level prove a success. The subject will be discussed by ECB chairman Giles Clarke and the MCC at a meeting at Lord’s on Wednesday night.”Jack Simmons and Mike Griffith, the chairmen of the ECB and MCC cricket committees, are very concerned and, if the trials work, would want this as part of the first-class game, although much cricket at that level is self-policed,” Clarke told .Dennis Amiss, the deputy chairman of the ECB, added his weight to the suggestion. “I would not be against introducing yellow cards in first-class cricket,” he said. “I would listen to the players’ view and it would have to be a bad misdemeanour but we have to move the game forward. Red cards? I hope not, but it would all add to the drama of a match.”Player behaviour is a hot topic globally so any use of a card innovation in England would be closely watched around the world. The recent series between India and Australia again raised the issue after Gautam Gambhir was banned for one Test for elbowing Shane Watson.John Buchanan, the former Australia coach, has called for the introduction of a cards system to combat slow over-rates. During the final Test at Nagpur, Ricky Ponting was nine overs behind at one stage and forced to use part-time bowlers.