All posts by h716a5.icu

Rajasthan Royals have said that they had reservations about playing allrounder Ravindra Jadeja even if the IPL had not banned him for a year

Cricinfo staff04-Apr-2010Rajasthan Royals have said that they had reservations about playing allrounder Ravindra Jadeja, because he breached his contract, even if the IPL had not banned him for a year. Rajasthan’s chief executive Sean Morris said Jadeja, who failed to renew his contract for 2010 and was found negotiating with Mumbai Indians, had ignored the franchise’s core values and now had to pay for his mistake.”To tell you exactly what our position was: While we believe we should fight for the young players, because we have invested in them, we still had to consider whether we would allow him [Jadeja] to be part of the Rajasthan Royals team,” Morris said in Nagpur on the eve of Rajasthans’s clash with Deccan Chargers. “We have got really strong values within Rajasthan Royals, lot of loyalty and integrity within the team and the squad, so as a team we still would have made a decision whether to allow him to play or not.”The IPL governing council had banned Jadeja for a season at the behest of BCCI president Shashank Manohar after details about him violating rules came out in the open. They allowed the player to appeal against the decision and also heard representations from the Rajasthan and Mumbai franchises. Arun Jaitley, a lawyer who is also part of the governing council, chaired the hearing, upheld the ban and released a strongly-worded verdict. “The player contrived a situation to his advantage by breaching the player trading rules and not signing his third year contract for IPL 2010 with the Rajasthan Royals,” Jaitley said. Rajasthan had lodged the initial complaint and “further alleged that he was in communication with the Mumbai Indians team in violation of disciplinary rules.”In Shane Watson’s absence, and injuries to Graeme Smith and Dmitri Mascarenhas, Rajasthan were struggling after the first few matches. Shane Warne, Rajasthan’s captain, admitted Jadeja’s all-round skills were being missed but they had to comply with the IPL’s decision. According to Rajasthan the ban had “adversely affected the franchise even though they were not at fault”. Morris said they did grow desperate when Smith and Mascarenhas were forced to return home. “It is one of the few hurdles that we faced with a few injuries at the beginning of the tournament all at once,” he said. “But we got over it.”However, Morris said Rajasthan had forgotten the Jadeja episode and were happy to have been the bridge which allowed him to break into the Indian team. “We brought him on as a player hopefully for the benefit of Indian cricket. We firmly believe in investing in young Indian players. If you look at the overseas players that we have, they spend an awful lot of time working with young Indian players for our benefit, to make us a better team, but we also hope that leaves some form of legacy.”My final point on Jadeja is it is over. Good luck to him for the World Cup (ICC World Twenty20). We hope that he is a big success for India.” When asked if that meant Rajasthan would not bid for Jadeja during the player auction later this year, Morris denied that would be the case. “No, what I meant was about the Jadeja ban for this season,” he said.

Flocking to Twitter, many Liverpool fans have absolutely erupted over a fresh transfer claim by Sky Sports involving Borussia Dortmund sensation Erling Braut Haaland.

As Jurgen Klopp’s side scour the market for possible forward additions, it is believed that a fair few targets are on the agenda, including the likes of Luis Diaz from FC Porto.

Fenway Sports Group are tasked with backing the Reds boss with potential new signings over 2022 as Klopp aims to maintain Liverpool’s status as one of the Premier League’s elite.

In a fresh transfer update, Sky Sports Germany and their reporter Marc Behrenbeck have now brought some enticing news involving Dortmund striker Haaland.

According to his and the reliable outlet’s information, Liverpool are contenders to sign the 21-year-old with the club indeed plotting to bring in a new centre-forward.

It is also believed that Haaland’s addition could sway star player Mohamed Salah into signing a new deal given his personal demand for Liverpool reinforcements.

Liverpool fans excited…

As this news emerges from a reliable source, it’s little wonder many supporters are excited given Haaland’s pedigree.

The Norway international has already racked up an incredible 13 goals and nine assists in just 11 German top-flight starts (Transfermarkt) – really highlighting his obvious quality.

Given the links to such a prestigious player, it’s little wonder fans have been left talking on Twitter – find all of their best reactions down below:

“Winning everything if true”

Credit: @BensLFCworld6X

“That would be amazing”

Credit: @NeccessitiesX

“I wouldn’t say a bad word about FSG all season”

Credit: @SirLeonP

“This is actually a good source too oh my days…”

Credit: @theKloppEnd_

“DONT GAS ME LIKE THATTT”

Credit: @HumzahShabir1

“Imagine Haaland here nah. My word”

Credit: @_euanito

“come erling”

Credit: @jugdvrn

“don’t you dare tease me”

Credit: @LFCPannunz

In other news: ‘Terrible’, ‘Needs to be sold’…Many Liverpool fans slam ‘poor’ player who lost the ball 23x vs Leicester, find out more here.

This month, Leeds United will have the opportunity to fix the increasing problems in their Premier League campaign so far, due to injuries piling up, along with virus outbreaks leading to mounting fixture postponements. The transfer window could not have come at a better time for the Yorkshire club.

What’s the word?

According to TEAMtalk, the Whites are interested in signing 19-year-old Fleetwood Town defender James Hill after he impressed a number of clubs with his phenomenal form in his short career so far.

The report suggests that Leeds would have quite some competition to the sign the teenage sensation, with Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham, Barcelona all scouting him this season. Meanwhile, Burnley, Norwich, Newcastle, Sheffield United, Birmingham and Stoke have all checked in on Hill as well, in recent weeks.

The 19-year-old has been attracting attention for all the right reasons, with Fleetwood chairman Andy Pilley telling The Athletic: “James is destined for the top. We’ve been very lucky to have him but we know we’ll be saying goodbye to him soon and we’ll wish him all the best for the future.”

The young defender has been going from strength to strength, with his maiden call-up for Lee Carsley’s England under-21 squad in November making him the first-ever Fleetwood Town player to be called up to a national team whilst playing for the League One club.

Would be a fantastic signing for Orta

If the rumours are true that Leeds are interested in the talented teenager, and Victor Orta secures Hill’s signature over all the other clubs interested, this could be a very good piece of business for the Whites.

Indeed, it would have echoes of the potential that Rio Ferdinand showed when he joined Leeds from West Ham early in his career, progressing into one of the best defenders the Premier League has ever seen.

Just as Ferdinand was one of the most promising centre-backs in English football at the time that he joined Elland Road, the same could be said for Hill, judging by the esteem in which he is held by Fleetwood’s chairman and the plethora of suitors seemingly chasing his signature.

If Orta can win this intriguing transfer race, it promises to be quite a coup by the Leeds chief. This will be a fascinating transfer story to keep an eye on during the next month.

In other news: Bielsa must unleash this Leeds ace against Burnley

Mark Cosgrove has been thrown a lifeline having signed with Tasmania in the final round of contract negotiations after being sacked by South Australia

Cricinfo staff12-May-2010Mark Cosgrove has been thrown a lifeline having signed with Tasmania in the final round of contract negotiations after being sacked by South Australia. Cosgrove, who played one-day international cricket for Australia four years ago, was a surprise axing from the Redbacks’ list for next season and was snapped up by a Tasmania side chasing top-order batting talent.At 25, Cosgrove has plenty of cricket ahead of him, but his weight has been an ongoing issue and contributed to him playing less games than he could have for South Australia. Last summer, he was second on the state’s list of Sheffield Shield averages with 511 runs at 42.58, but he was told there was not a spot for him next season.Cosgrove, who is currently playing with Glamorgan, will add experience to a Tasmania batting line-up that has lost Daniel Marsh to retirement. The Tigers have finalised their squad for 2010-11 and there was no place for Michael Dighton, John Rogers or Wade Irvine, all of whom were delisted from last season’s group.However, they have left the door open for Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, their overseas signing for the Big Bash last summer, to expand his role to the other formats next season. Rana will join the Tigers again for the Twenty20 tournament and, if available, the state will consider him for the four-day and 50-over competitions.The only other addition from the initial squad that was named last week was the former ACT batsman Ashton May, who has been given a rookie deal. Tasmania are keen for more improvement from their developing squad after last summer finishing second-last in the Sheffield Shield but winning the FR Cup.Tasmania squad George Bailey, Travis Birt, Luke Butterworth, Steven Cazzulino, Mark Cosgrove, Ed Cowan, Gerard Denton, Xavier Doherty, Alex Doolan, Brendan Drew, James Faulkner, Brett Geeves, Adam Griffith, Ben Hilfenhaus (Cricket Australia contract), Jason Krejza, Rhett Lockyear, Tim Macdonald, Adam Maher, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Tim Paine (CA), Ricky Ponting (CA), Jon Wells.Rookies Matthew Day, Brady Jones, Hamish Kingston, Ashton May, Jeremy Smith, Tom Triffitt.

Everton are reportedly amongst the Premier League clubs looking to sign former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey from Juventus this month.

What’s the story?

According to Italian journalist Rudy Galetti, the Toffees are one of the Premier League outfits looking to bring Ramsey back to England this window.

Admittedly, Galetti confirmed that Rafa Benitez’s side are behind in the race, tweeting: “Newcastle and Crystal Palace options remain valid, further back – at the moment – the positions of Everton and Arsenal.”

Sky Sports reported earlier this week that the 31-year-old is set to leave Turin after Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri confirmed that the Welshman is an “outgoing player.”

Ramsey, having joined the Italian giants after 11 years at Arsenal in 2019, has made just five appearances for the Old Lady this campaign, hence the confirmation of his imminent departure from Allegri.

The question now is where will the 31-year-old end up with it looking likely that the 71-capped Welshman will return to the English top flight.

Everton fans will be buzzing

Despite not leading the race for Ramsey, Everton fans will be glad to know that their club is interested in the midfielder who was a delight to watch at times when in the Premier League.

In fact, the Toffees will be particularly aware of what Ramsey can do with the Welshman scoring his first-ever hat-trick against the Blues in 2018.

Whilst playing in North London, the 31-year-old scored 65 goals and registered 65 assists in 371 appearances for the Gunners, as opposed to just the six goals and six assists in 70 games for Juventus.

Rafa Benitez could do with more midfield options with Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure the current favourites in the middle with a combined 30 Premier League appearances so far this campaign.

Moreover, the Spaniard will be desperate for more goals from the middle of the park with Doucoure (2) and Tom Davies (1) the only midfielders to score in the league so far this campaign.

In other news, Everton have been linked with this well-known forward…

In the absence of the injured Jerome Taylor, and with Kemar Roach struggling to shake off an ankle problem, Ravi Rampaul has become the likely spearhead for West Indies’ pace attack

Cricinfo staff09-Jun-2010In the absence of the injured Jerome Taylor, and with Kemar Roach struggling to shake off an ankle problem, Ravi Rampaul has become the likely spearhead for West Indies’ pace attack in the first Test against South Africa. Rampaul made his international debut seven years ago but has played in only three Tests so far, and was looking forward to his first Test in the West Indies, more so since it was at his home ground, Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad.”Playing a Test match in front the home crowd and knowing that my family will be right here…it is a very special feeling for me,” he said, “I hope the crowd comes out to give me support and push me in the Test match.”West Indies are winless in the series so far, having lost both Twenty20s and being blanked 5-0 in the one-dayers by Graeme Smith’s side. Rampaul, however, sought inspiration from West Indies’ recent home Test record – including a series victory over England last year and a hard-fought series against Australia in 2008. “Our home record in Tests is good so far and the team is really pumped up for this Test series.”The coach Ottis Gibson also struck a similarly positive note. “We want to come out and show that we are progressing, we are learning and some of the senior guys that did not perform in the one-day series will want to come out and make amends,” Gibson said, referring to the lacklustre performance of the side’s most experienced batsmen, Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul.The Test team wears a different look to the one that competed in the limited-overs leg with the likes of Brendan Nash, Shane Shillingford and Nelon Pascal joining the squad. “We have a few new faces in the squad and we will obviously try to move on from the one-day series as quickly as possible,” Gibson said. “And even though we lost that series the mood has always been that we are building towards something and the mood in the camp is pretty good so far.”

Journalist James Pearce has talked up the idea of Liverpool potentially signing RB Leipzig winger Christopher Nkunku in the near future.

The Lowdown: Attacking additions needed

The Reds had a quiet time of things last summer, choosing to only sign Ibrahima Konate and not strengthening their depth in attacking areas.

With Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino all 30 at some point this year, there is a clear need to look at possible long-term replacements for that trio.

The 24-year-old Leipzig forward is one player who has reportedly been identified by Liverpool as the long-term successor to Mane on the left flank, having scored 17 goals in all competitions for his club this season, including seven in the Champions League

[freshpress-quiz id=“375258″]

The Latest: Pearce makes Nkunku claim

Speaking in a Q&A for The Athletic on Sunday, Pearce admitted that no bid has yet been made by Liverpool for Nkunku, but he claimed that the winger could be an option for the Reds moving forward.

When asked if the club were looking at the 24-year-old as a potential signing, the journalist replied: “He ticks a lot of the boxes when you look at his profile. Relations between the clubs also good. Not aware of any serious interest at this stage.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-liverpool-transfer-news-17/” title=”Latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=“none”]

The Verdict: Strong summer option

Nkunku looks like an excellent potential signing this summer, with his end product this season suggesting that he would bring guaranteed firepower to Jurgen Klopp’s squad.

With the Frenchman capable of operating on the left wing, he could be seen as an eventual replacement for Mane, who arguably isn’t quite the player he once was, only scoring once in 10 games for Liverpool prior to departing for the African Cup of Nations this month.

Nkunku’s current contract doesn’t expire until the summer of 2024, so a hefty bid will be required to get a deal done. He could be worth it, though, joining at the same age that Mane was when he arrived from Southampton and hopefully enjoying a similar career trajectory.

In other news, some Liverpool fans have reacted negatively to one transfer claim. Read more here.

Steven Croft enhanced his reputation as a batsman with a defiant unbeaten 85 spanning three hours as Lancashire battled to what may prove to be an important draw here, the result denying Yorkshire an opportunity to go 14 points clear of Nottinghamshire at

Jon Culley at Old Trafford01-Jul-2010
ScorecardSteven Croft enhanced his reputation as a batsman with a defiant unbeaten 85 spanning three hours as Lancashire battled to what may prove to be an important draw here, the result denying Yorkshire an opportunity to go 14 points clear of Nottinghamshire at the top of the Championship.Instead, the White Rose county lead by one, which is good news for their rivals from Trent Bridge, who have played two matches fewer, but also for Lancashire, who are one fixture behind and only eight points in arrears. Having been in a strong position when the sides met at Headingley a month ago only for rain to intervene, defeat this time would have been hard to take.In the event, rain played a part again, although thankfully not to the extent early forecasts had suggested. Yet two interruptions after tea, costing 11 overs, may have proved decisive. Certainly, they benefited Lancashire’s rearguard action as Yorkshire packed the in-field, with the ball turning enough for Adil Rashid and Azeem Rafiq to make batting a stiff test.Croft, Glen Chapple and then Kyle Hogg found themselves charged with securing Lancashire’s survival after the final hour began with Yorkshire needing four more wickets. They did so with six or seven close fielders around the bat at all times, in addition to wicketkeeper Gerard Brophy, as Rashid and Rafiq sought a way through. In the end, though, Chapple was the only casualty and Croft, who has caught the eye more regularly as an aggressive batsman with a penchant for spectacular hitting, played the two spinners superbly, never offering a single, identifiable chance.As it happens, a draw had looked the likeliest out come all along, after Yorkshire had seemed to score too slowly in the morning session to set up a run chase that would give them enough time to bowl the home side out.Caution from stand-in captain Jacques Rudolph was understandable. While he has skippered South Africa A and the Titans successfully, his record when asked to lead Yorkshire has been dreadful. He has led the side eight times in three seasons – twice in the Championship, twice in 40-over matches and three times in Twenty20 – and until yesterday he had lost every game, an extraordinary record that, of course, includes a gamble that backfired when Somerset were given a run chase at Taunton in May in Yorkshire’s only defeat in the Championship to date.Here, Yorkshire declared at lunch at 215 for 7, giving Lancashire a target of 305. But with only 68 overs left in the day, the odds seemed always to favour the batting side if survival became the objective.Yorkshire had lost their key man when Anthony McGrath was leg before as left-arm spinner Simon Kerrigan straightened one up on him. Then Gerard Brophy chipped to short extra cover off Daren Powell and Kerrigan slipped one under Pyrah’s attempted pull. Tino Best was stumped, aiming an agricultural heave at the same bowler, who finished with 4 for 77. Only Rashid, unbeaten for 42, succeeded in pushing along the score without mishap.Any hope Lancashire entertained of scoring the runs effectively disappeared in an erratic opening spell by Tino Best, win which the West Indian pace bowler sent many balls down the leg side but also yorked Stephen Moore, had Simon Katich caught at third slip and dismissed Paul Horton leg before.Steve Patterson had Mark Chilton lbw before the first stoppage, which cost 10 overs. Yorkshire’s eagerness to get back out saw their players massed at the boundary rope more than five minutes before the restart time announced over the public address, prompting the umpires to join them and insist that Lancashire’s batsmen wasted no further precious moments.Steve Patterson had ousted Mark Chilton, who was lbw before the stoppage. Rudolph had turned to the less experienced Rafiq, the off-spinner, first but it was Rashid who made the breakthrough, dismissing Tom Smith, who was well taken by Brophy, and then Luke Sutton, caught off the bat at short leg, in the space of three balls.With that, Yorkshire’s urgency increased still further. They deployed their 12th man and their conditioning coach as ball boys to ensure that balls hit for four were returned swiftly and a tense final hour that ultimately stretched to almost 23 overs must have seemed like an age to the batsmen.But though a fine, running catch at mid-on by Best accounted for Chapple, there were no further incursions for Yorkshire. Croft maintained his concentration in the face of 174 deliveries in total, and Hogg, who batted back 33 balls before he played a scoring shot, did a sound job in support.

Aston Villa announced the signing of goalkeeper Robin Olsen on Tuesday evening.

And a number of Villa fans were quick to give their thoughts to the club’s fourth January addition on social media.

The 32-year-old has joined Philippe Coutinho, Lucas Digne and Kerr Smith in moving to the Midlands in 2022, signing on loan until the end of the season.

Steven Gerrard was after a back-up goalkeeper this month to work alongside Emiliano Martinez and Jed Steer and has got his wish with the Sweden international.

Olsen spent the first half of the season with Championship side Sheffield United, where he made 11 appearances. However, he fell out of favour at Bramall Lane, with the Blades willing to cut his stay in Yorkshire short, with Villa now sealing a temporary move from parent club AS Roma.

Villa fans react

This is what these Villa supporters had to say in reply to the club’s official post on Olsen, with one ‘excited’ and another labelling it as ‘decent’.

“I don’t think people understand how great this signing is, allows Sinsalo to go out on loan and get first team football, also Olsen in himself is a great keeper and he’s obviously aware he’s come to be a back up and that’s a great mentality for him to do that.”

Credit: @JPAvfc_

“We’ve actually broken Lange”

Credit: @AzariaJohnson14

“Wow hope he can push for number 1 good to have 2 good gk”

Credit: @villamadfan

“What a busy window this has been, I’m so excited about this team”

Credit: @Hydracronis

“Decent cover for Martinez, was decent for Everton last season, didn’t work out for him at Sheffield United this season, will provide some mentoring to younger Villa keepers. Welcome Robin Olsen”

Credit: @Villaboy89

“Another new player in through the door”

Credit: @TalkTrinity

In other news: ‘£25m’ – Many Villa fans react as EPL rivals eye move for pacey 26 y/o. 

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Aamer’s fine spell in the first innings at Lord’s has led Wasim Akram to comment that Aamer “is much cleverer than I was at the 18”

Cricinfo staff15-Jul-2010Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Aamer’s four-wicket haul in the first innings at Lord’s has led pace legend Wasim Akram to comment that Aamer “is much cleverer than I was at 18″. Aamer, a left-arm seamer like Akram has impressed since he burst on the Test scene in 2009 leading to comparisons between the two. Akram’s endorsement comes as a confidence booster for the young seamer who is part of Pakistan’s talented pace attack for the England tour.”It was exciting to watch Aamer bowl so well at Lord’s,” Akram told after Aamer finished with four wickets in the first innings. “He is a special talent and has pace, nip and can swing the ball both ways which is ideal for a paceman, and augurs well for his future.”Aamer’s spell, supported by Mohammad Asif, helped Pakistan bowl Australia out for 253. Given the inexperience in their batting line-up, a lot is expected from the Pakistan seam attack, and Akram was pleased with Aamer’s development.”Aamer has got a head start and is a quick learner, so I see no reason why he can’t go on to become a leading fast bowler. He is already spearheading the Pakistan pace attack and watching him bowl, everything pitched up, banging in every delivery and testing the best batsmen in the world excited me no end,” Akram said.Akram however had some technical advice for the youngster. “What I noticed at Lord’s and in the series in Australia is that he bowls wide of the crease. That may help the ball to come in, but on slower tracks it won’t work, so he needs to bowl closer to the stumps,” Akram said.Akram also dismissed concerns that Aamer may struggle with injuries due to wiry build. “Some people say his physique is not that of a fast bowler, but he is only 18. He can strengthen his muscles with time and I am sure he will spend more time in the gym,” Akram said.