On the performance today We are very happy with the performance. To be 3 for 160 at the end of the day is very satisfying for us. There was a good bit of time for all the players who batted.On the rain delay Yes, but we can’t do anything about that. We got a chance to get used to the conditions.On the Mumbai attack The attack was very good in terms of work divided. I think Ajit Agarkar is very much in consideration with the Indian selectors. I thought the use of [Ramesh] Powar, the offspinner, early on was a good move by the Mumbai team. It was good for us, too, as it gave Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer a chance to experience a slower bowler from the outset. I think it was very useful for us as a batting team.On Ricky Ponting missing the second Test I think we basically thought that it was unlikely he would play in the second Test. I think he, like all of us, knew that that would be the outcome. So it’s good that his thumb is recovering well, and we expect him during the second Test and hopefully he will return for the third Test.Selection for this game The players that we left out will be relatively comfortable about their own preparation. So that gave the opportunity to other players who we needed to see in match circumstances.On Simon Katich batting at No. 3 That is not completely certain for the Tests, but it is one of the options we have. We are getting closer to understanding what our final combination will be, so there is every chance that Katich batting at No. 3 will be one of the options when the selectors sit down to pick the team.
India A 213 for 5 (Sriram 105*) beat England A 210 (Smith 76*, Newman 68) by five wickets ScorecardSridharan Sriram scored an unbeaten 105, adding 155 for the fifth wicket with Venugopal Rao, as India A eased past England A’s substandard target of 211 to complete a 3-0 clean sweep in Chennai. The victory was secured with nearly five overs to spare, and ensures that England will enter the first-class phase of their tour with spirits at a low ebb.It was a disappointing performance from start to finish for England. The high point came when Scott Newman and Ed Smith were adding 99 for the third wicket, but only one other batsman could reach double figures – Sajid Mahmood, who made a rapid 13 from No. 9. England tumbled from 141 for 3 to 210 all out with nearly three overs of their innings still remaining.It has been a difficult week for England A, with defeats in the first two matches, and the loss of their captain, Alex Gidman, to a hand injury. His absence was compounded by the suspension of Bilal Shafayat for dissent in the second match, and when James Tredwell won the toss and chose to bat, his decision instantly backfired. England lost two early wickets, including the big scalp of Kevin Pietersen, whose hard-hitting 131 had salvaged the innings in Tuesday’s match.But Newman and Smith held the innings together. Newman was especially impressive, but when he fell for 68, the innings disintegrated despite Smith’s best efforts to stay afloat. Smith, who is used to tough situations after making his Test debut in last summer’s closely fought series with South Africa, was left not out on 76, as the last seven wickets tumbled for 69. The pick of India’s bowlers was Sairaj Bahutule, who claimed 3 for 33 from a 10-over spell.England made a fighting start to India’s innings, with Mahmood leading from the front with three early wickets, including both openers – Dinesh Mongia included – for single figures. He later added the scalp of JP Yadav, while Graeme Wagg removed Mithan Manhas for 14. But from 34 for 4, India A rallied through the efforts of Sriram and Rao, who were not parted until the match was as good as over. On the plus side for England, Simon Jones came through another 10-over spell unscathed, finishing with 0 for 39.
MELBOURNE, Dec 16 AAP – Shane Warne should be available for Australia’s World Cup cricket campaign after undergoing shoulder surgery today.Australian team doctor Trefor James said Warne had undergone arthroscopic surgery this morning after he dislocated his bowling shoulder against England last night.James said Warne would be out of action for up to six weeks, meaning Warne will miss the remaining two Ashes Tests against England and the rest of the triangular one-day cricket series.But James was hopeful of having Warne back by the start of the World Cup in late February.”I don’t think I could be definite, we are hopeful he will be available and we will just have to wait until we’ll be in a better position to see,” he said.James said Warne was likely to make a full recovery despite fears his latest injury might have finished his career.”We expect him to bowl without any dramas and in the short term, we expect him to be out for four to six weeks,” James said.James said Warne was in shock and disappointment last night but in good spirits today.James said Warne faced a low-risk of redislocating his shoulder.But he said any risk would be associated with throwing a ball rather than bowling.James said Warne’s previous shoulder surgery had no bearing on his latest injury.He said Warne had a good track record of recovering from injuries and was diligent in his approach to rehabilitation.Melbourne specialist Greg Hoy performed the surgery, which was exploratory.
Four days have now been completed of quite splendid Test cricket, played on one of the finest pitches seen in England for many years. The game is poised for a fascinating final day and beautifully balanced with England overnight on 85 without loss.Michael Atherton had to endure a fearsome examination from his old colleague Wasim Akram who peppered him with a series of shortpitched deliveries but both he and Marcus Trescothick stood firm. Waqar Younis was expensive but Saqlain turned several deliveries past the outside edge of the England left-hander which will give Pakistan significant hope for tomorrow. There were several close calls, and a handful of pleading appeals, but to Pakistan’s dismay both umpires remained unmoved.Trescothick helped himself to a final dessert with consecutive boundaries from the last two balls of the day. He needs two for his half-century tomorrow morning and England require a further 285 runs to win from a minimum of 90 overs.The day’s play, once again, had everything. Magnificent batting, plenty of boundaries, quick bowling and fortunes always in the balance.Inzamam and Yousuf Youhana had resumed in the morning and they moved their partnership serenely on to 141, Inzamam repeating some of the wonderful strokes of his first innings century. There was fluent driving, clips through mid-wicket and he was particularly harsh on anything short – one memorable six over mid-wicket off Caddick had the large crowd roaring their delight.Yousuf, also began to find his form and timing, but history repeated itself within 24 hours when both players in a big partnership departed inside six balls. Hoggard deceived Inzamam with a slow off cutter and Youhana was adjudged to have gloved a snorter from Caddick to Stewart, though TV replays showed that the ball had actually touched the helmet. Similarly, Younis Khan was unfortunate to get the nod from umpire Shepherd, lbw to Cork when he probably had nicked the ball on to his pad.The new ball was taken and Pakistan took the initiative. Although Caddick yorked Azhar, Wasim Akram flayed Gough, Caddick and Hoggard to every part of his beloved Old Trafford. Caddick was removed from the attack with figures of one for 16 from his two overs with the new ball. Driving, and pulling with savage intensity, the Pakistani icon established his team as the favourites to win at this juncture.A partnership of 50 with Rashid Latif, and some slogging from Waqar and Saqlain at the end ensured that England would require 13 more than their first innings score to emerge as winners in this magnificent Test Match.
During his post-match press conference following Tottenham’s 3-1 victory over West Ham, Antonio Conte hailed the improvements made by Lilywhites youngster Dane Scarlett.
The Lowdown: Scarlett’s rise at Spurs
The 17-year-old has made tremendous strides over the past year after impressing with Tottenham’s under-23 side.
As a result, he has been included in the Lilywhites’ first-team matchday squad 17 times this season, coming off the bench in the 4-0 win over Leeds in February.
Conte is a keen admirer of the young striker – indeed, last month the 52-year-old publicly labelled him as “the best prospect from the academy”.
During his post-match press conference after the win over West Ham on Sunday, Conte sang Scarlett’s praises, claiming that the 17-year-old will play a big part in Spurs’ future.
As quoted by football.london, the Tottenham manager stated:
“I’m seeing a lot of improvement today in [Dane] Scarlett honestly if I have to tell you. Seeing that this guy is improving a lot, he’s only 17-years-old but I can tell you that he is a really important prospect for Tottenham. He has to be patient and work behind these very important players and continue to work in this way because about Scarlett, I can tell you that I see a brilliant future for him.”
The Verdict: Huge praise
These comments should come as a huge fillip for the 17-year-old, who has had piecemeal action in the FA Cup and Europa Conference League this season. Judging by the manager’s glowing praise, Scarlett may yet be handed more senior game-time in the closing weeks of the campaign.
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.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Indeed, the Italian is not the first Spurs coach to sing the teenager’s praises. Scarlett was previously hailed by former Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho, who claimed that “he will be somebody in a few years” and is already a “phenomenal” player.
The teenager even featured in the Europa League twice under Mourinho, so following Conte’s latest comments, he will be hoping to receive further opportunities under the Italian, who it’s fair to say is a massive admirer of this particular ‘one of our own’ in N17.
In other news: One Tottenham player may have risked incurring the wrath of Conte and the Spurs hierarchy
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsSylhet Superstars recorded their first win of the season•BCB
Ravi Bopara brought Sylhet Super Stars their first win of the BPL season, beating Comilla Victorians by four wickets with two balls to spare in a hard-fought contest. Bopara took four wickets and later struck 50 of 38 balls, which was also his first meaningful contribution with the bat.Had he stayed till the end, the contest may not have been as exciting. As it was Abu Hider, the 19-year old left-arm seamer took back-to-back wickets in the final over including Bopara’s to leave the equation at three needed off three balls. Nazmul Hossain Milon defused the tenions with a six to secure the victory.It was a difficult end for the man who led Comilla’s defence. Hider claimed the first breakthrough in the sixth over, inducing a top edge from Mominul Haque which was called for and caught by wicketkeeper Liton ADas amid four other fielders in the vicinity. Sylhet still had Dilshan Munaweera, who hammered Mashrafe Mortaza for a six over square leg, en route to 36 off 26 balls. It was Hider again that made the incision as Munaweera cut straight to point.Bopara, promoted to No 3, joined Mushfiqur Rahim and stabilised the innings with an 87-run partnership which ultimately proved match-winning.Sylhet were 76 for 2 after 10 overs, needing a relatively straightforward 89 more. Bopara and Mushfiqur struck four fours in the 14th and 15th overs, to reduce the chase to a simple 45 off the last 30 balls.Mashrafe conceded a boundary off the first ball of the 16th over, but then missed a great chance to run Mushfiqur out when he had three stumps to aim at and the batsman nowhere near safety. As if to emphasise the good luck Sylhet’s captain had, Mushfiqur was dropped the very next ball. Two balls, two chances and two reprieves. Eventually, Kulasekara bowled him with an inswinger for 47 off 31 balls.Earlier when Comilla batted first, Liton Das sent the crowd into frenzy as he got Comilla off to a quick start. It began with a streaky four off the second ball of the match, the edge burst through Munaweera at slip. Liton’s next five fours were quite convincing. He flicked, drove inside out, carved past point and tonked one over mid-off to provide 42 out of the 56-run opening stand with Imrul Kayes. Liton was dismissed by Bopara in the seventh over, to signal the momentum shift.Bopara then took out Mukhtar Ahmed and Shuvagata Hom in the ninth over to leave Comilla in a bit of crisis at 66 for 3.Kayes, who was batting well within himself, got a reprieve. He jammed the bat down on a Munaweera delivery in the 11th over, the ball then rolled onto the stumps but did not topple the bails over. Kayes and Ashar Zaidi then added 62 runs for the fourth wicket though the latter, on 9, survived a chance when Nurul Hasan misjudged a catch at midwicket and overran the ball.Kayes smacked Rubel Hossain for a four over mid-on soon after, and followed it up with a six off Bopara, who completed his second four-for in T20s. Zaidi finished with two fours and a six in the final over, but his 53 off 36 balls could not bring his side a victory
ScorecardFor the third day running rain washed out play at Ayr, as Scotland and UAE took three points each from their Intercontinental Cup meeting. The only play possible had been on the first day as UAE reached 174 for 4.Scotland now move straight into their one-day international against Pakistan at Edinburgh, but will be without two of their county players.Kyle Coetzer has opted to stay with Durham and Dougie Brown has injured his Achilles. The situation surrounding Coetzer is similar to the problems which faced Ireland with their county players recently, and it has left Ryan Watson, the Scotland captain, concerned.”It’s a tricky situation and we’re going to come up against it a lot, county versus country. Kyle’s under a bit of pressure,” said Watson. “The disappointing thing is they [Durham] don’t actually have a game on the day.”Kyle’s in his final year of his contract, so I think he’s looking to get that extended. He’s having a good season so it is a pity he’s not available. I don’t really know the ins and outs too much, as to why he’s not available, but he would love to play for Scotland at any opportunity so you would have to say there is a bit of pressure being put on him.”
After his side drew with Sussex on a rain-affected final day at Hove, Mahela Jayawardene, the Sri Lanka captain, has said Sanath Jayasuriya is still in the equation to play in the second Test against England at Edgbaston on Thursday, after the two openers in contention for a place failed to come up with any outstanding contributions.With Jehan Mubarak making 26, and Michael Vandort scratching scores of 44 and 1, the door to Jayasuriya making a comeback to Test cricket has not been shut completely.”None of the guys had a good outing,” Jayawardene said after the game. “It is still open for us to do exactly what we want to do. Sanath is still in the picture. Depending on how the pitch is going to play everyone is in the picture.”What we wanted to do was to give the young guys the opportunity because they are the ones who came with the original squad. The selectors sent Sanath to use him at our discretion for the Tests. He is there for the one-dayers,” he said.Jayawardene admitted he was disappointed with the performances of Mubarak and Vandort. “Mubarak threw his wicket away after starting so well in the first innings on a pitch like that. It was a very good pitch to bat on,” he said. “Vandy, as well, got a 40 and got out. Those are opportunities that they should get their hands on and make sure they perform.”With the pitch at Edgbaston expected to be conducive to spin, Jaywardene admitted that Jayasuriya’s slow-left-arm spin could sway the selectors into picking him.”Sanath [has] been having net sessions since he arrived here. With his experience I am sure if he is called upon to do a job he is capable enough to do it. He’s that kind of a person. It is not a problem,” he said.Jayawardene had reason to be satisfied with the bowling of Lasith Malinga, who missed out in the first Test, and the form of middle-order batsmen Tilan Samaraweera and Chamara Kapugedera. Both made hundreds along with opener Upul Tharanga.
“Malinga has been pushing us a lot in this tour. Every time he played he’s been showing us a lot of character. At the end of the Lord’s Test I said [we] needed to figure out a way of getting 20 wickets. If Malinga is going to be the answer, so be it,” said Jayawardene.With the middle-order also getting runs Jayawardene said another option available to them was to elevate one of the middle-order batsmen to open the innings, thus playing five bowlers.”But if the wicket is going to be turning then we can go with three quicks and two spinners,” he said. “If it is flat, Malinga probably has a better chance of getting wickets. He actually does not need any assistance from the pitch to get wickets.”The only problem we have with him is if it is a seaming wicket he does not hit the seam so there is no movement for him whereas Nuwan Zoysa and Nuwan Kulasekera can be effective.”If the guys are in form it’s fine. We’ll make the tough decisions. Some guys will be disappointed but that’s how it is. Only 11 can play. We have to make sure that the best balanced combination plays,” he said.Persistent rain ruled out the chance of reserve wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene making a claim for a place. “We were looking forward to bat him at No. 4 in this match today because he has been getting a lot of runs for us in the county games, but unfortunately he could not get an opportunity. It puts Prasanna out of the equation,” he said.He added that Tillakaratne Dilshan had recovered from his mild hamstring injury and would be fit for the second Test.
Jason Gillespie was ruled out with a torn muscle in his side, while Simon Katich earned a surprise recall as Australia’s selectors named a squad of 14 for the second Test against Zimbabwe which starts at the Sydney Cricket Ground later this week.Gillespie will fly to Sydney with the squad to continue treatment with Errol Alcott, the team physiotherapist, and an assessment will be made about his availability for the one-day tournament in India later this month.Stuart MacGill and Darren Lehmann, suffering from a a torn calf muscle and tendonitis respectively, have been included in the 14 and given a chance to prove their fitness.Brad Williams, who was the 12th man in Perth, retains his place, and there are call-ups for Brad Hogg and Nathan Bracken as well as for Katich. A graceful left-hander, Katich was once the golden boy of the Australian domestic circuit, but has not played for Australia since his Test debut at Headingley in 2001. A move to New South Wales from Western Australia seems to have revived his career, and he has now been called up ahead of Martin Love, who thumped a century against Bangladesh in his last Test appearance.Bracken has represented Australia in ODIs, and was part of the Test squad that toured England in 2001, though he was forced home early by a shoulder injury.The injuries to Gillespie, MacGill and Lehmann forced Cricket Australia’s hand, and Trevor Hohns, the chairman of selectors, said: “Injuries have forced us to make several changes and we will have a better idea as to how we are placed once Stuart MacGill and Darren Lehmann have undergone fitness tests in Sydney.”Going on the advice of the medical team, Jason Gillespie has been ruled out and we will monitor his progress over the next few days before making a decision about his place in the one-day touring party for India.”Despite these injuries we feel that we have been able to select players who can cover adequately for those on the casualty list.”On the selection of Bracken and Williams, Hohns said: “The inclusion of Brad Williams and Nathan Bracken gives us the flexibility of playing four fast bowlers if required. Nathan has performed well at one-day international level, and being a left-arm bowler means he offers us a little bit of variety in the pace-bowling department.”Hogg will most likely play only if MacGill is ruled out, while Katich is seen as the ideal replacement if Lehmann misses out. “With Darren Lehmann’s fitness under a cloud, we felt Simon Katich, who like Darren can slot into the middle order as well as bowl some handy left-arm wrist-spin, was a suitable replacement,” said Hohns. “We weren’t on the lookout simply for a batsman as a potential replacement for Darren, rather a batting allrounder. Simon’s bowling was a major influence in our decision-making. Martin Love was certainly considered, but on this occasion we felt Simon’s bowling record on the Sydney Cricket Ground would prove valuable.”
Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting continued their remarkable run of form in 2003, as Australia returned to something like their best form on the second day of the Melbourne Test. Neither man though was taking anything for granted, not after the manner in which India had stormed back at Adelaide after being under the cosh for most of the first two days.”It was a very satisfying day all round,” said Ponting, whose unbeaten 125 took him to 1340 runs for the year. “We had identified the first session as one of the biggest in the series for us. We didn’t have much luck yesterday and we put a couple [of catches] down, which never helps. Sehwag played beautifully as well. We hung in there, but we know that we need three more good days to win this match.”Hayden, who now has three successive hundreds at the MCG, said it was an awesome place to play cricket, with bumper crowds cheering all the way. He admitted though that it was no stroll in the park. “We had to work hard early, but once you get in, the game tends to open up. It’s a rewarding place to play cricket.”Hayden said the Adelaide debacle, when Australia batted in shockingly cavalier fashion on the fourth afternoon, had receded into the background after today’s display. “We’ve put that behind us now. We needed a big partnership to get back in the hunt after a tremendous bowling performance in the morning. Punter [Ponting] and I bat really well together. On this wicket, it’s easy to get ahead of yourself … it’s hard to play square-of-the-wicket shots. Ricky tends to play straight and he also pulls, which is very similar to the way I play.”Ponting also spoke of Adelaide, saying, “It hurt us. The environment in the dressing room afterwards was very different. There were two sessions of play on the fourth day where the Test was lost, and we knew we’d let ourselves down.” But he added that his brilliant 242 at the Adelaide Oval hadn’t influenced the way he played this innings. “I don’t look back too much at all. I didn’t think of Adelaide at all.”
Neither man was too interested in the run aggregates for the year, though Ponting raised a laugh or two when he said, “Stephen [Waugh] told me I was level with Mark [on 20 Test hundreds] when I walked back in. It’s been a good year so far, and hopefully it will get better.”For India, the talking point was Zaheer Khan’s fitness, or lack of it. Rahul Dravid said he was fit enough to play when the team was announced, but that he had felt a twinge in his hamstring the fourth or fifth over he bowled in the morning. “He showed character to stay on and keep bowling,” he said. “It is a slight worry though, but he knew he had to keep going today.”Dravid accepted that India had had a “tough day”. “We didn’t bat well,” he said. “We had a great platform but we couldn’t build on it. It was a combination of poor shots and them putting the ball in the right areas. From 278 for 1, we should have done much better.”Of Ponting and Hayden, he said, “They showed why they’re two of the best in the world at the moment. It was a tough day for them yesterday and a tough one for us today. You shouldn’t forget that we’re playing a very good side.”Dravid brushed off suggestions of a momentum shift, saying, “We didn’t have momentum the first two days at Adelaide either. I’m not a big believer in that. We showed some spirit today, and we just have to come back and try our best tomorrow.”Ponting said that Zaheer’s injury was a big blow for India. “He was bowling well within himself. It’s a good sign for us. They capitalised on the mistakes we made yesterday and now it’s up to us to take advantage of some good fortune.”Tomorrow, all that will most likely be relegated to a snippet, as the headline writers gear up for the next instalment of Australia’s favourite ongoing soap opera, the Steve Waugh retirement show. There’ll be enough and more red rags on show…thank heavens we’re not in Pamplona for the running of the bulls.