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No further decision was taken on the Pakistan team management’s request to call up the former captain to bolster the batting

Osman Samiuddin in Melbourne30-Dec-2009The chances of Younis Khan appearing for Pakistan in the New Year Test in Sydney have reduced significantly after no further decision was taken on the Pakistan team management’s request to call up the former captain to bolster the batting.The second Test is due to begin on January 3 and given the considerable travel time between the two countries, even if the request is accepted tomorrow and Younis were to leave the same day, he might struggle to be ready in time for the Test on Sunday.In any case, it appears as if the selection committee is not entirely convinced of the need for Younis, at least without him having attempted to find some kind of form first in the RBS Pentangular Cup, a domestic tournament due to begin on January 1. “It is not like the team is losing just because he isn’t there,” a member of the selection committee told Cricinfo.”The Pentangular is happening and that would be a good way for him to play and get some practice. The Sydney Test is looking very unlikely right now and no decision was taken today. And who will he replace there? Various batsmen have scored some runs here so it might be unfair to drop them.”Initially, the selection committee appeared to be waiting for the result of the first Test in Melbourne, which Pakistan ultimately lost by 170 runs, before taking a decision. Mohammad Yousuf, Pakistan’s captain, reiterated after the match that the side needed Younis and that a request had been made some time ago.But there appears to be a gap in communication: one selector claims that no official request has come in writing to them from Australia and another said that the chairman of the PCB, Ijaz Butt, had received the request and was going to consider it after discussing it with the selectors. That, in all probability, will now happen tomorrow.Amid the confusion, it is increasing likely that Pakistan will have to do without Younis as they attempt to level the series in Sydney. Pakistan’s batting struggled in both innings of the first Test, bowled out for 258 and 251 on what was widely acknowledged to be an unusually placid MCGsurface. On the final morning, they lost seven wickets for 81 and it prolonged a run in which they have, as a side, passed 350 only twice in 14 Test innings.

Leeds United winger Raphinha could leave the Whites and forge a ‘devastating’ partnership with Mohamed Salah at Liverpool, according to journalist Emmet Gates.

The Lowdown: Raphinha Leeds’ star man?

The Brazilian has been a revelation since moving to Elland Road from Rennes in 2020, scoring 11 goals and registering nine assists in 41 appearances.

Raphinha has also taken his club form with him to the international stage, already scoring twice in his first five caps for the South American giants.

There is a strong argument to say that he is Leeds’ best player, along with Kalvin Phillips, and it is no great surprise that he has been linked with a move elsewhere.

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The Latest: Journalist makes worrying claim

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Gates has talked up the idea of Raphinha moving to Liverpool and wreaking havoc alongside Reds superstar Salah:

“I think they’ve also been linked with Leeds’ winger Raphinha, again who also players in Salah’s position but if you could put him on the opposite flank, that would be a devastating duo.”

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The Verdict: Inevitable exit soon

Raphinha is a priceless player for Leeds, and ideally, he would stay put for many years to come, but it is hard to see that happening currently.

The 24-year-old has announced himself on the international arena and may want to test himself in the Champions League – something the Whites simply can’t offer at this moment in time.

It could be that Raphinha moves on at the end of the season, especially if Leeds get relegated, but the one bonus would be the huge fee the club would likely receive for him, with his current deal not expiring until 2024.

Should he depart, the Whites may then spend the cash they receive on both a suitable replacement and bolstering other areas of the squad.

In other news, Leeds are reportedly plotting a bid for one player. Find out who it is here.

West Ham United manager David Moyes has some massive decisions to make as his side returns to Premier League action this afternoon.

The Irons head north to face defending champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in a huge clash which sees third face fourth.

After a 1-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend, the east Londoners bounced back with a routine victory over Rapid Wien in the Europa League, a win which sealed top spot in their group and their place in the knockout stages of the competition.

Moyes rang the changes in Austria, so it will be interesting to see what sort of line-up he will select against Pep Guardiola’s Citizens today, especially after they sealed an impressive three points against Paris Saint-Germain in midweek.

Here’s the Hammers XI that we’re predicting…

There could be as many as eight changes from the side which won in Vienna on Thursday night.

Lukasz Fabianski did not make the trip, so he will be well-rested for his return between the sticks this afternoon, whilst Irons “monster” Issa Diop is the only defender to keep his place, meaning 31-year-old Craig Dawson is axed, having started twice in the last nine days and been unconvincing against Wolves.

The £12.5m-rated Frenchman will join his fellow countryman Kurt Zouma in the heart of defence, with Aaron Cresswell returning at left-back and academy gem Ben Johnson continuing to get the nod on the right over Vladimir Coufal, who got some much-needed minutes in midweek.

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Tomas Soucek is the second player to feature in back-to-back matches this week and he should be rejoined by Declan Rice, who will lead the team out in Manchester, taking the place of club captain Mark Noble.

Further up the pitch, Jarrod Bowen is another to keep his spot in the starting XI but he will be joined by his usual league allies, Pablo Fornals in the no.10 role and Said Benrahma on the other flank. They take the places of summer signing Nikola Vlasic and Manuel Lanzini.

Up top, Thursday’s goalscorer Andriy Yarmolenko is axed as Michail Antonio is due to return.

The leading £70k-per-week West Ham talisman, who was dubbed a “complete monster” by journalist Paul Brown earlier this season, didn’t travel to Austria, so he should be raring to go today.

AND in other news, “A definite target”: Ex drops big West Ham transfer update, fans will be buzzing…

South Africa captain Graeme Smith feels India’s “conservative approach” in Nagpur cost them dearly and has said that playing an extra bowler in place of the untested Wriddhiman Saha would have been a more favourable option

N Hunter09-Feb-2010South Africa captain Graeme Smith feels India’s “conservative approach” in Nagpur cost them dearly and has said that playing an extra bowler in place of the untested Wriddhiman Saha would have been a more favourable option.”I guess there are two ways to look at it: you [could] take the more confident approach and play the extra bowler,” Smith said, reasoning that both Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan had decent records as tailenders. “They went for a more conservative approach and picked Saha at No 7. Maybe they are regretting that now.”Smith was pleased with the way that the team had maintained its focus despite the rumblings before the series, when long-time coach Mickey Arthur stepped down and Cricket South Africa sacked the entire selection panel.”There were a lot of shifts and changes and everyone was just trying to find their feet,” Smith said. “It helped that there was a lot of honesty around the group and the credit must go to their maturity. Corrie [van Zyl] has created a good working environment for the players and as the weeks have gone on, we have settled down and focussed more and more on our cricket.””We have been really clinical. It is important to come here, adapt but play our style of cricket. I think we did that every well throughout the game and used our bowlers in short spells.”Not just the bowlers, he also credited Hashim Amla for his fantastic double-century which took them to a commanding position earlier in the Test match. “Amla’s double century was great to watch,” Smith said. “At No.3 he is becoming the glue. It’s terrific to have him there. Hashim is one of the hardest working guys and knows his strength is his mental strength.”He has got great hands and he scores very quickly. He sticks to his game plans and most of the times he had to battle through some periods in this innings but at other times he is a difficult guy to control. He has provided us a lot of stability. More than his 250, he has been involved in some key partnerships along the way.”Smith has maintained that winning a series in India was a box that remained to be ticked. In 2008, South Africa came close after another Dale Steyn burst had given them a 1-0 lead in Ahmedabad. However, they were welcomed with a rank turner in the final Test in Kanpur, where a combination of a dubious pitch, and dogged half-centuries from Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman secured India a series-levelling win.Smith had not forgotten the incident, and when asked if he was ready for a similar fate, he quipped, “So are you telling me there’s a guy with a rake at the Eden Gardens? India have more control over the conditions. We need to focus on the specifics…prepare and execute our gameplans.”

A number of Wolves supporters have hailed an impressive statistic regarding defender Max Kilman that proves he is now a truly key figure for Wanderers.

Bruno Lage’s side have suffered a slight dip in form recently, failing to score in any of their last three Premier League matches.

Saturday’s dramatic 1-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool prevented Wolves from picking up three 0-0 draws in a row and they have to ensure they get back on track quickly.

One player who has stood out for Wanderers this season is Kilman, with the centre-back even rumoured to be on the verge of an England call-up.

The 24-year-old has started all 15 of his side’s league games, and in a post by the club’s official Twitter account on Monday, it was revealed that he has already played the most minutes (1,530) in a season in his career.

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Wolves fans laud Kilman

These Wolves fans reacted to the statistic on Twitter, hailing Kilman in the process.

“Quality”

Credit: @wwfcglover

“My guy”

Credit: @carliemartin

“We always knew Max was good, going back to the few games he had under Nuno. Unfairly dropped back then. Bruno seems to appreciate his talents. Keep it up Max! Been brilliant!”

Credit: @MistaWWFC

“Long may he continue in the starting 11. Absolute brick wall. And hasn’t let the new contract get to him either. He’s going to the very top”

Credit: @D_WELLS3

“Fantastic player”

Credit: @AdamDicken9

“The kid is destined for greatness. Best, English, left-footed Centre Back in the PL.”

Credit: @GrumpyDad3

In other news, Wolves have suffered a possible blow in their quest to sign one player. Find out who it is here.

England have called up 18-year-old batsman for the tour of India as a replacement for wicketkeeper-opener Sarah Taylor

Cricinfo staff21-Feb-2010England have called up 18-year-old batsman Heather Knight for the tour of India as a replacement for wicketkeeper-opener Sarah Taylor who missed the second ODI in Bangalore because of a hip injury. Taylor will return to England to continue rehabilitation.Knight is an attacking batsman who played for England Women’s Academy along with other national squad members Anya Shrubsole, Danielle Hazell and Danielle Wyatt.Clare Connor, the England board’s head of women’s cricket, said the injury to Taylor was a blow to England. The team is already missing their leading batsman Claire Taylor and left-arm spinner Holly Colvin to personal commitments.”She [Taylor] was England’s leading run-scorer against Australia last summer and she is a formidable presence behind the stumps. However this gives us an opportunity to test other players: Kent’s Tammy Beaumont will take the wicketkeeping gloves and Heather Knight will join the tour party as an extra batsman. Heather is a talented cricketer who scores huge runs at county level and I’m sure she will seize this chance to impress.”

To watch Jacques Kallis in the final stages of the chase was to witness a master in action. He waited for the ball to come to him, saw it on to the bat and then used that massive physique to power it beyond the rope

S Aga16-Mar-2010If not for a bloke from Barbados who once flayed Dennis Lillee and friends for 254 at the MCG, Jacques Henry Kallis would end his career as the greatest all-round cricketer in the history of the game. His numbers in Test and one-day cricket brook no arguments, but there were many who felt that Twenty20 represented a bridge too far. It was fashionable to stereotype Kallis as the dour defender of his team’s fortunes, a consolidator rather than a destroyer.”Two years ago, there was a lot of criticism from people who said that I couldn’t play it [T20],” he said, after the stunning 55-ball 89 that piloted the Royal Challengers Bangalore to a target of 204. “I’ve worked at it. It’s something I pride myself on. Technically, you don’t need to change much. In Test cricket, you get a bit more behind the ball. In T20, you need to give yourself a bit more room to hit.”To watch Kallis in the final stages of the chase was to witness a master in action. Both Manish Pandey and Virat Kohli were guilty at times of going too hard at the ball, perhaps forgetting that the same strokes which get you four and six in first-class or one-day cricket will get you the same rewards in this format. Kallis waited for the ball to come to him, saw it on to the bat and then used that massive physique to power it beyond the rope.There were few preconceived notions or premeditated shots either. “We wanted to have 50 or 60 on the board after the first six overs [the Powerplay],” Kallis said. “It needed one guy to bat through and the others to play around him. Robin [Uthappa] came out and played an unbelievable knock. That was as good as I’ve seen the cricket ball struck.”After Pandey had lit the torchpaper with a 26-ball 38 that included three sixes, Uthappa’s 19-ball half-century and demolition job on Sreesanth transformed the game. Sreesanth was left so dazed by the 25-run assault that he walked off into the outfield after five balls, thinkingthe misery was over.”That was as good a batting performance as you can get,” said Kallis. “Everyone played their role perfectly.”Uthappa wasn’t without some sympathy for Sreesanth, a good friend off the field – “When he was bowling, I was only looking at the ball,” Uthappa said – but he revelled in the opportunity to make an impact in front of a fervent Ugadi crowd. “I needed to get my eye in quickly and then go after the bowling, because I knew Jacques would be there till the end.”Promoted up the order after the loss against Kolkata Knight Riders, Uthappa struck the ball with awesome power in the V. Once he departed, Kallis took over. His first 45 runs had taken 38 balls. The next 44 came from just 17. With his frontline bowlers so expensive, Kumar Sangakkara would have known he was taking a gamble by giving the 18th over to Bipul Sharma. Three sixes over midwicket later, the match was as good as lost.”This hurts a lot more [than the loss to Delhi],” said Sangakkara after the game. “Here, we got more than 200. But we’ve got to learn that strong performances from individuals is not enough. We need to get a collective performance.”Bangalore managed that, with the bat anyway. As for the bowlers, this was a day to airbrush from the memory.

Glasgow Rangers cruised to a 2-0 win at home to St. Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday night.

Goals from Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent were more than enough to see off the SPFL’s bottom side, but given their dominance in terms of shots and possession, and the fact that Celtic have a better goal difference than them, they may have been left feeling aggrieved that they did not get more.

That said, it was the type of dominant performance that will breed competition for places within the squad, and not everyone will be happy with their individual displays.

Using statistical experts SofaScore, The Transfer Tavern have now analysed who the three worst performers (to have played at least 45 minutes) for the hosts were on the night, as they may now be looking over their shoulder as they attempt to keep Giovanni van Bronckhorst happy…

Allan McGregor

Very harsh given that he kept a clean sheet, McGregor was given a relatively low 7.3 by SofaScore, perhaps mainly down to how quiet things were for him.

The goalkeeper had just one save to make, had one successful punched clearance and only had to run out and claim the ball once also.

However, his 86% pass accuracy was actually one of the lowest in the team, while he was also guilty of giving the ball away on four separate occasions in the match, hardly ideal for the man between the posts.

Scott Arfield

Like McGregor, Arfield was also given a 7.3 overall rating by SofaScore.

The only Gers player to be booked in the game, the central midfielder lost out on three of his duels, and also failed to record a single dribble, clearance or interception, while he lost possession three times.

Calvin Bassey

Perhaps harsh again given the clean sheet, Bassey was ranked as the Light Blues’ worst player on the night with a 7.2 rating from SofaScore.

The makeshift central defender did not make a clearance, interception or tackle, while he also lost the ball seven times.

It was a good night overall for the Teddy Bears as they picked up another three points on their way to retaining the title, but these three will surely be looking to get right at the weekend when they host Dundee United.

In other news, find out what Academy news has RFC fans buzzing here!

Each apparently content in their post-international careers, Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Symonds and Chaminda Vaas still have the ability and sheer presence to turn a team’s mood upside down in one evening

The Bulletin by Jamie Alter14-Mar-2010
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were outAndrew Symonds soared to 50 off 43 after making only three in his first 17 balls (file photo)•Associated PressEach apparently content in their post-international careers, Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Symonds and Chaminda Vaas still have the ability and sheer presence to turn a team’s mood upside down in one evening, proving that the IPL is as much about cool heads and years of experience as it is about youthful exuberance. Gilchrist began by winning the toss and larruping 38 from 17 balls, becoming the first batsman in the IPL to reach 1000 runs, Symonds overcame a sluggish start to slam the game’s only half-century, and Vaas snuffed out Chennai Super Kings’ chase with three wickets in his opening burst. The result was that the defending champions Deccan Chargers smoothed over their opening-day loss to Kolkata Knight Riders with a professional win.This win was set up by Deccan’s batsmen, namely their three big overseas imports. A frenetic burst at the start, powered by Gilchrist, was followed by a sedate period when Deccan were tied down by Chennai’s assortment of spinners and medium-pacers, but the decisive spell that followed went the visitors’ way. Herschelle Gibbs’ innings was nowhere near as manic as his captain’s but it proved far more valuable, because he saw out a tough period on a surface with variable bounce and then accelerated at the end.Symonds proved a good ally, initially playing second fiddle to Gibbs – at one stage he was 3 off 17 balls and then soared to 50. Gibbs and Symonds fell in succession, after getting Deccan past 150, and a 22-run final over, bowled by two men due to Sudeep Tyagi’s full-toss barrage, left Chennai needing 191 to win. Chennai conceded 63 in the last five overs and that proved to be the decisive period of the match.Gilchrist, who at the toss said matter-of-factly that he wasn’t too concerned at his team’s first loss, set the tone by smashing Sudeep Tyagi’s first over for 18 runs. Albie Morkel was also tonked for fun runs and after three overs the score was 41 for 0. A double-wicket over from R Ashwin, called on to bowl the fifth over, changed the mood in the stadium and forced Deccan to consolidate. Ashwin was taken off after that big over and from 55 for 2 Deccan added just 12 runs in the next four overs.Upon resumption after the strategic time-out, Gibbs created a few risk-free shots to keep the runs flowing. Justin Kemp, on his IPL debut, was taken for two calculated fours, wrists rolled on both occasions, and Muttiah Muralitharan was reverse-paddled to third man. Murali didn’t offer the batsmen any room and that meant they had to try different scoring options to make runs. Symonds had been especially bogged down after failing to score off Murali, Ashwin and Kemp, who in 16 balls allowed him just three singles, but in L Balaji’s second over he carved a six and four off consecutive deliveries to move to 14 from 20 balls.A 95-run stand off 75 balls was ended when Morkel fielded and hit the stumps off his own bowling to send back Gibbs at the start of the 18th over, and five balls later Symonds was caught a frame short of his crease for 50 off 43 balls. Chennai had a good chance to keep Deccan down, but Tyagi’s horror evening culminated with Rohit Sharma and T Suman flogging three fours and a six before a second beamer ruled him out after five deliveries. Kemp bowled the final ball and allowed just one, but Deccan went into the interval all charged up.That drive was clearly channeled into their effort in the field. Before this tournament few outside the Deccan camp would have backed Vaas to feature heavily for the defending champions, given that he had played just seven games in the past two seasons for indifferent returns. But for the second game running, he jolted the opposition top order with a double-wicket over, and by the time he took his third wicket, that of the bulwark Matthew Hayden, Chennai were hemorrhaging at 31 for 3. It was simple stuff; pitch straight, get some cut, let the batsmen cope with the rest. As he had in Mumbai, Vaas even snuck in a maiden over. It was top stuff.Vaas began his second over by cleaning up M Vijay with an inside edge, had Suresh Raina pull him for six, but when he pitched fuller Raina was lured into a fatal prod to Gilchrist. Much was made of Hayden’s expected use of the Mongoose bat, but he came out with a normal piece of willow and fell for just 17, paddling Vaas to RP Singh at short fine leg. Pragyan Ojha struck with his third ball to get S Badrinath miscuing an attempted inside-out drive to long-off and at the end of the Powerplay, Chennai were 37 for 4.Even a 16-run Jaskaran Singh over, during which Dhoni and Kemp plundered boundaries, didn’t deter Deccan. Symonds came on to bowl some seam-up stuff and cleaned up Dhoni (42 from 29), and in the next over Rohit struck to leave Chennai at 115 for 7. Symonds capped a good evening with a second wicket and Chennai finished on 159, a total that owed much to Morkel’s belligerent 42.

Cameron Carter-Vickers has said that ‘discussions are to be had’ with Celtic at the end of the season as he considers his future. 

The lowdown

Celtic signed the American on a season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur during the summer transfer window. The deal included an option to buy for just shy of £6m but, according to the Daily Record, the fee would exceed £10m once add-ons are applied.

The Hoops have never paid an eight-figure transfer fee, with £9.27m recruit Odsonne Edouard still their record signing.

Carter-Vickers has been heavily involved since he made the move to Glasgow, starting 13 out of a possible 14 Premiership games as well as five Europa League group stage matches.

The latest

Carter-Vickers has said that he is ‘enjoying’ life at Celtic but insisted that he’s yet to make up his mind on where he wants to be long-term. The American also pointed out that parent club Spurs would have a significant say on where will be playing next season.

“I am enjoying playing out there,” he said on talkSPORT, as quoted by Glasgow Evening Times. “It is all going well.

“I think it is a little bit too early to say. It is not purely down to me as well. Obviously, discussions are to be had at the end of the season.”

The verdict

It would feel like a significant boost if Celtic were able to land Carter-Vickers on a permanent deal. With an average WhoScored rating of 7.43/10, he has been one of their top five performers this season.

He has also been showered with his praise by none other than Kenny Dalglish, who called him an ‘excellent professional’ who boasts an ‘exemplary’ attitude.

The £10m fee would be a huge commitment, but his £22,000-per-week wages should be affordable at least. Hopefully club and player can persuade Tottenham that a permanent move to Glasgow would be the best thing for him.

In other news, read the latest on Reo Hatate