All posts by h716a5.icu

The Argentine returned to training on Monday after apologising for his trip to Saudi Arabia, and is seemingly back in favour at Parc des Princes

All it took was one apology video. A blank Lionel Messi stared into a camera, stood in front of a colourless wall wearing a crisp suit. In the 38-second clip, he apologised to his team-mates but also defended the trip to Saudi Arabia that had triggered his two-week suspension.

And for Paris Saint-Germain, that was seemingly enough. On Monday, he worked alone at the club's facilities. On Tuesday, he figures to be in team training. Less than a week after intentionally ignoring a club mandate, Messi is back.

His early return is yet another headline-grabbing moment in a chaotic season for the Parisians. It stands as an entirely predictable yet simultaneously disappointing move that shows, once again, just how badly the club has lost control of its players, and brand as a whole.

This suspension was supposed to show that PSG can put their foot down. Instead, it has only amplified how powerless they are.

GettyWhat they promised

This is, perhaps, all a bit unfair on PSG. It was never going to be easy to suspend Messi. Benching him, in fact, is near impossible. Messi is bigger than the club. He gets fans into Parc des Princes and followers on social media.

It's not exactly a new concept for PSG, either. Kylian Mbappe proved that he, too, has immense influence by leading a campaign for a season ticket renewal video — before ensuring it was taken down thanks to four lines of text put on an Instagram story.

Only with Messi, it's harder to control. Mbappe is likely to be around for at least one more year. He is a local product, one of the club's captains, and has the shield of a contract that isn't going to expire this summer. He has the adulation of PSG fans — regardless of his antics.

Messi hasn't taken to Paris in the same way. There is a prevailing sense that he is a mercenary who never wanted to leave his first love Barcelona — and will likely return if it's indeed possible. Messi is a World Cup and seven-time Ballon d'Or winner first. Playing for PSG is almost a side hustle.

And PSG can't merely accept that. Clubs are supposed to try to feign some kind of control over their superstars. The Parisians, by signing Messi, advertising him and selling millions of his shirts, take on that responsibility. They own Messi as a player, commodity and marketing tool.

But that mass appeal, the clicks and kits that his move to Paris brought in, was perhaps always going to be slightly at odds with his actions on the pitch. This week, PSG, despite promising otherwise, have succumbed to the marketing appeal.

AdvertisementGettyWhat they've done

And there's no real reason to bring Messi back now. PSG have had Ligue 1 sewn up for a few weeks now — admittedly, with Messi playing his part to secure the title. This should be the time to put in a few solid performances as the league comes to a close. In an ideal world, manager Christophe Galtier would be handing minutes to youngsters Warre Zaire-Emery and El-Chadaille Bitshiabu.

There are some players who are in the mix for new contracts — Sergio Ramos, for example — who would like to be on the pitch. But at this point, PSG should have made their decisions based on a body of work.

That's made even more clear with a look at PSG's fixture list. The Parisians have to play Ajaccio, Auxerre, Strasbourg and Clermont Foot to close out the campaign. All four sides are in the bottom half of the table. On sporting merit, then, it's better for PSG, and perhaps Messi himself, for the club to keep their Argentine out of the picture.

GettyAll a show

And they have tried. PSG were in a position where they needed to make an example of someone. The Ligue 1 leaders have endured a miserable 2023, falling short in the Champions League and Coupe de France, while also stumbling over the line to win the league title.

The team has lacked bite and aggression. Whether it was Messi or any other member of the squad who had jetted off when they were meant to be in training, the Parisians were obligated to punish such actions in a serious manner.

This was all taken very seriously, too. Messi was banned unceremoniously by the club without further comment. Christophe Galtier offered no insight when asked about it at a press conference last Thursday. The wider world was told that Messi would not be allowed to play, train or even step foot on club property. We were to believe that Messi was, effectively, sitting on his sofa, rueing his missed opportunity.

Then on Monday, a picture appeared of him at training, clad in full PSG gear. The club themselves have not commented, but it is clear that Messi is back. All signs point towards him playing on Sunday.

And perhaps he was always going to. Indeed, if his antics had happened before a Champions League clash or title decider, his flight to collect hundreds of millions would perhaps be met with a disapproving look, or maybe even a fine. Momentarily, though, PSG hinted that they had finally done something concrete. Then, very suddenly, they admitted their act was up.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty ImagesFan appeasement?

And the fans had their role to play here, too. Messi's trip triggered a wave of protests from PSG ultras. A group gathered in front of the club headquarters in Paris in protest. They called for Messi's exit using some rather colourful language, politely encouraged Neymar to leave the club, and also took aim at chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi.

Tensions have been bubbling for some time within Parc des Princes. Fans have booed and jeered Messi since February, while Neymar has not been without criticism either. The source of most of their protestations has stemmed from the lack of integrity of the club, and its inability to quell the gripes of frustrated superstars.

Apparently appeasing Messi doesn't make things any easier. If anything, this will only further antagonises a disillusioned fan base. PSG took a surprise step by canceling half of their ultras' tickets for the Parisians clash with Troyes last weekend. This already irritated group does not need further reason to be angry with their club.

There is, indeed, something to be said for limiting the impact of the supposedly damning protests before they actually happen. But giving the angry group six days to fine-tune how they react to this latest decision will likely do little to quieten their complaints.

The England star brought up his century with a stunning header against West Ham, which was a fitting addition to his impressive club collection.

Marcus Rashford scored his 100th goal for Manchester United in style on Sunday, stealing in behind Thilo Kehrer to nod home a beautiful Christian Eriksen cross at the back post.

The 38th-minute effort ultimately gave United a crucial 1-0 victory to boost their top-four hopes, and capped another impressive performance from a resurgent Rashford.

The striker, who turned 25 on Monday, has rediscovered his best form under Erik ten Hag this season, and has now cemented his place in the club's hall of fame by becoming their latest goalscoring centurion.

Wayne Rooney's record (253) may still seem out of reach, but Rashford is the second-most prolific player in United's current squad, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo (144), and he has plenty of time to climb the all-time rankings.

Rashford already boasts a whole host of memorable strikes from his 318 appearances in a United shirt, and GOAL is here to run down his top 10 goals…

Getty10Man Utd 3-2 Arsenal (February 2016)

Rashford announced himself to English football fans with a two-goal showing on his senior debut against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League, and made his Premier League bow three days later against Arsenal.

The 18-year-old proved he could also deliver on the top-flight stage as he opened the scoring in the 29th minute, showing great composure to steer home a first-time shot after reacting quickest to a mishit clearance from Gabriel Paulista

Rashford doubled his account three minutes later and United went on to win 3-2, with the Old Trafford faithful welcoming a new hero into their hearts.

AdvertisementGetty9Man Utd 2-1 Anderlecht (April 2017)

United may not have won their last piece of silverware, the 2016-17 Europa League, had it not been for Rashford's extra-time goal in the second leg of their quarter-final tie against Anderlecht.

With penalties looming large on the horizon, Rashford controlled a Marouane Fellaini knockdown just inside the box, before producing a neat flick to manufacture himself a yard of space.

The forward deceived two Anderlecht defenders with his quick thinking and made no mistake with his subsequent finish, which nestled into the bottom of the net to send United through to the last four.

Getty8Tottenham 0-1 Man Utd (January 2019)

Rashford's 44th-minute effort proved to be the difference between United and Spurs in a clash staged at Wembley before the home side's move to their luxury new stadium.

It was a trademark finish that showcased all of the England international's best attributes as he latched onto a superb long pass from Paul Pogba and sped clear of Jan Vertonghen before rifling the ball into the far corner.

Rashford still had plenty to do after making his way into the box, but his shot from a tight angle was so perfectly placed that it left Hugo Lloris with no chance in the Spurs net.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty7Man Utd 2-1 Liverpool (March 2018)

Rashford had struggled for regular minutes for much of the 2017-18 season under Jose Mourinho, but was handed his first start in three months for Liverpool's visit to Old Trafford.

The England international needed to make an impact to put himself back into Gareth Southgate's thoughts for the summer World Cup in Russia, and to ensure that United kept their rivals at bay in the race for second place in the Premier League.

He delivered in emphatic fashion, scoring twice to give Mourinho's side a crucial three points, and his first goal was a thing of beauty.

Romelu Lukaku provided the assist as he headed on a David de Gea free-kick, which Rashford took in his stride before producing a clever chop turn in the box to get past Trent Alexander-Arnold and open up the shot, which he smashed across Loris Karius and into far right of the net.

GOAL assesses the performances of Aliou Cisse's men following their quarter-final victory at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium on Sunday.

Getty ImagesEdouard Mendy – 7/10

Mendy was barely tested in Sunday's encounter, however, he was beaten by Equatorial Guinea's first shot on target in the 57th minute.

AdvertisementBackpagepix.Bouna Sarr – 5/10

With no significant contribution, the Bayern Munich right-back was found wanting when it mattered.

Backpagepix.Saliou Ciss – 8/10

Ciss played a major role in the build-up to the third goal. It started with his fine control then his run into the box before cutting back to set up Sarr to score.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyKalidou Koulibaly 7-10

Another solid performance from the captain and he was lucky to have a penalty call against him ruled out after the restart.

South Africa spinner Aaron Phangiso’s bowling action has been determined as illegal, following independent tests conducted at the University of Pretoria’s High Performance Centre, an ICC accredited laboratory

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Mar-20161:42

Moonda: South Africa not giving up on Phangiso

South Africa spinner Aaron Phangiso’s bowling action has been determined as illegal, following independent tests conducted at the University of Pretoria’s High Performance Centre, an ICC accredited laboratory. The assessment revealed that all of Phangiso’s deliveries exceeded the permissible 15-degree limit.In accordance with the CSA Regulations for the Review of Bowlers Reported with Suspected Illegal Bowling Actions, Phangiso has been suspended from bowling in domestic cricket, with the board also confirming that the bowler will not be selected for the first two home T20Is against Australia, starting March 4. Phangiso will, however, remain with the squad to work alongside South Africa’s spin bowling coach Claude Henderson and CSA’s high performance manager Vinnie Barnes in an effort to remedy his action.Phangiso’s chances of being retained in the squad for the World Twenty20 in India hinge on a second round of independent tests next week.”The timing of this issue for Aaron and for our World T20 squad is clearly inopportune but we need to deal with it. We will work hard to remedy Aaron’s action and have him retested as soon as practically possible,” Haroon Lorgat, CSA’s chief executive, said. “We are fortunate to have an ICC accredited Laboratory in South Africa and this will certainly make a quick turnaround possible.”Phangiso had been reported for a suspect action following his team Lions’ win against Warriors in the semi-final of the Momentum One Day Cup. It was the third time this year that Phangiso had made headlines for the wrong reasons.In January, it emerged that Phangiso had been prevented from boarding an international flight following South Africa’s ODI series win in India because he was drunk and disorderly, forcing CSA to subsequently hand him an unknown sanction. Last week, Phangiso had to apologise for being caught on camera pretending to sniff an unknown substance off his leg during a T20I against England at the Wanderers. Phangiso was in the dug out and his gesture took place when South Africa were batting. He said it was a lighthearted joke but understood that in a country with a drug problem, it was inappropriateShould Phangiso fail to make the squad for the World T20, South Africa’s selectors have time till March 8 to find another back-up spinner for Imran Tahir. Eddie Leie, the likeliest replacement for Phangiso, suffered a hamstring injury during the Momentum Cup final and was forced to leave the field.

A half-century from Rohit Sharma, coupled with explosive cameos from Jos Buttler and Mitchell McClenaghan, helped Mumbai Indians gun down 188 against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens

The Report by Alagappan Muthu13-Apr-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsMitchell McClenaghan’s promotion to No. 4 spelled the end for Kolkata Knight Riders•BCCIIt was entirely bewildering. Mitchell McClenaghan walked out at No. 4 for Mumbai Indians. It is not like the side is short of hitters. Mumbai spent INR 3.8 crores acquiring a new one for this year, but Jos Buttler caught fire only after the spark provided by McClenaghan’s eight-ball 20. The events between the 11th and the 15th overs of the chase decided the winner of the match – Mumbai, by six wickets.McClenaghan’s responsibility – under normal circumstances – was to slip into Lasith Malinga’s shoes. Be the wicket-taker at the start and the enforcer at the end. Today, he was asked to disrupt the Kolkata Knight Riders spinners. And he was given the freedom to do so. Every single shot played by the New Zealand fast bowler was a slog. His second, third and fourth balls cleared the Eden Gardens boundaries. The eighth – a wide full toss that he tried to slog sweep – led to his downfall but by then Mumbai had regained lost momentum. An equation of 101 off 60 balls had shrunk to 79 off 49.It became 49 off 30 when Buttler followed a straight drive with pulled six off chinaman bowler Brad Hogg. A scoop to the fine leg boundary – which established Buttler’s finesse – and two lofted cover drives – which established his power – deflated Knight Riders. Gautam Gambhir, who had taken the record (27) for the most fifties in the IPL earlier in the night, watched the ball soar and the chances for his team sink with every minute Buttler was on strike.When Buttler eventually fell for 41 off 22 balls, the Mumbai captain, Rohit Sharma, back at his preferred opening position, provided more evidence of why he should be given as many overs as possible in a T20 game. Rohit held the innings together with his unbeaten 84, and even finished it off with an array of beautiful shots – a straight six, a deft glide to third man and an outrageous sweep off an overpitched delivery coming at him with the express pace of Andre Russell from around the wicket. Rohit averages 50.12 and strikes at 145.81 at Eden Gardens in T20 cricket. Mumbai, his team, have won eight out of 10 games at this venue, including the IPL title in 2013 and 2015.Knight Riders’ batting may not have been as eye-catching as Mumbai’s, but it was very efficient. Manish Pandey could find the boundary at will. He pulled his second ball for four, dominated the spin of Harbhajan Singh and J Suchith by virtue of his quick footwork, and secured his fifty off only 26 balls. The standout shot, though, was a glide to third man off Jasprit Bumrah in the 13th over. The pitch was excellent for batting, but it was allowing the cutters some grip. Pandey saw the variation out of the bowler’s hand, waited for it to arrive and simply let it fly off the face of his bat.His captain Gambhir was a little less adept – at the end of the second over he was only 3 off 8 balls – but a lot more determined. Gambhir hared back and forth for twos – there were eight of them in his innings of 64 – and ensured he was at the crease for as much of the 20 overs as possible. Andre Russell bludgeoned 36 off 17 balls to give the Knight Riders a total they thought was more than par.But their most trusted weapon – spin bowling – was dismantled by Rohit and company. Hogg, Kuldeep Yadav and Piyush Chawla cost 103 in 11.1 overs. There was no coming back from that.

Craig McMillan knows a little bit about stratospheric one-day performances but New Zealand’s batting coach was unwilling to predict how much further teams could go

Alan Gardner13-Jun-20151:22

‘Not right to be easier to bowl in T20 than ODI’ – Taylor

Craig McMillan knows a little bit about stratospheric one-day performances but, after seeing more than 760 runs scored in 96 overs at The Oval on Friday night, New Zealand’s batting coach was unwilling to predict how much further teams could go.It is more than eight years since McMillan played a key role in New Zealand overhauling totals of 336 and 346 against Australia in consecutive matches – still two of the five highest successful chases in the format. McMillan’s 67-ball hundred in the third ODI was the fastest by a New Zealander until Corey Anderson and Jesse Ryder both breezed past the mark at the start of 2014.That final match in Hamilton in 2007 saw 696 runs scored, albeit within the bijou dimensions of Seddon Park, and was at the time the second-highest match aggregate in history. It has since been pushed down to 10th, with six of the new entries coming in the last two years. Changes to the ODI playing regulations recommended by the ICC cricket committee may shift the balance once again but McMillan’s suggestion that “400 might well be the new 300″ no longer seems outlandish.”I wouldn’t like to put framework on it, I don’t know,” McMillan said when asked about the expansion of batting horizons. “T20 cricket has changed the perception of one-day cricket and what is possible and what’s not. I would think it’s pretty hard to beat 400 against quality opposition but with some of the grounds you play on, where the boundaries aren’t big and you play on good, true surfaces, anything’s possible, really.””These two sides, we’ve got two attacking batting line-ups that are going pretty hard at one another. I think with the pitches we’re going to face in the remaining three matches, 400 might well be the new 300. It’s also T20 cricket coming to the fore, batsmen play with no fear so chasing seven, eight an over is not a big deal anymore.”After two matches in favourable batting conditions, this series is already beginning to resemble a subcontinental run fest, where bowlers are little more than fodder. At Edgbaston, New Zealand took a wicket with the first ball of the match but ended up conceding 408; this time, Steven Finn got through a maiden before the fireworks began. Even with a target off 399 to back them up, New Zealand’s attack only just held out.A couple of winters ago, India and Australia gave it some relentless pongo during a series that looked to have redefined the game – particularly in the wake of the rule changes that brought such attacking cricket at the World Cup. Then, the overall run rate was 6.64 over six matches (one of which was a no result due to rain); currently, England and New Zealand are trading blows at a rate of 7.72 runs per over.New Zealand’s 398 for 5 at The Oval was the second-highest total in their ODI history – and their best against a fellow Test nation – but there was an ominous sense of control about the way the runs came. Of the top four, only Brendon McCullum scored at significantly more than a run a ball in the first 35 overs, with Ross Taylor opening up towards the end for an unbeaten 119 off 96 and Grant Elliott and Luke Ronchi providing further impetus lower down.Underpinning it all was solid partnership-building, with 50-plus scores for each of the first four wickets – their smallest was 45 for the fifth – leaving McMillan very satisfied.”It was a very professional batting effort, to have partnerships all the way through really set the platform for that big total,” McMillan said. “McCullum and Guptill probably set the tone, then the partnership between Kane and Ross set the platform and it allowed guys like Elliott and Ronchi to come in and play their cameos. In many ways it was close to the perfect batting performance.”English conditions could once be relied on to even the contest between batmen and bowlers, even with the white ball, but the absence of swing so far has neutered a strength of both attacks. Another generous batting surface is expected at the Ageas Bowl, a ground on which New Zealand cracked 359 for 3 in 2013. Records may continue to tumble.”It’s been a difficult series for the bowlers so far, I think they’re looking forward to a pitch with a little bit more help at some stage,” McMillan said. “But it is something we need to keep working on, I think we made improvements from Edgbaston. England came very hard at us last night, harder than at Edgbaston but the boys got the job done.”There’s very little help, you usually see with the new balls a little bit of swing. That’s one of the challenges for them at the moment, when the ball doe\sn’t do anything, what’s your gameplan? You have to be able to adjust and be flexible. It’s a continual discussion among the bowling group, with Dimi Mascarenhas as well. I think we’ve seen from the first two games it’s going to be a tough series for the bowlers.”

Shashikala Siriwardene backed up her 4 for 30 with ball with an unbeaten 42 to guide Sri Lanka Women to a six-wicket win over West Indies Women in the second ODI in Colombo

ESPNcricinfo staff15-May-2015
ScorecardFile Photo – Sasikala Siriwardene scored an unbeaten 42 to go with her 4 for 30•ICC/Solaris ImagesShashikala Siriwardene backed up her 4 for 30 with an unbeaten 42 to guide Sri Lanka Women to a six-wicket win over West Indies Women in the second ODI at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.Having chosen to bat, West Indies began sedately before right-arm pacer Sripali Weerakkody dismissed Hayley Matthews for 11 in the 10th over. Kycia Knight and StefanieTaylor consolidated with a 48-run partnership before running into Siriwardene. West Indies slipped from 95 for 2 to 110 for 7 in five overs and were eventually bowled out for 124.Sri Lanka wobbled at the start – openers Prasadini Weerakkody and Lasanthi Madhushani were removed by the 14th over leaving them at 46 for 2. They lost a further two wickets, but by then victory was only 38 runs away. Siriwardene steered Sri Lanka home with 64 balls to spare and helped them draw level at 1-1 in the four-match series.

New Zealand batsman Jesse Ryder is set to return to the boxing ring, for an amateur boxing bout on March 28

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Feb-2015New Zealand batsman Jesse Ryder is set to return to the boxing ring for an amateur bout on March 28. Ryder, who has had several disciplinary and injury issues of late, had pulled out of the New Zealand A squad for the tour to the UAE late last year, citing personal reasons, and was subsequently not included in the New Zealand’s World Cup squad.Ryder has boxed before, knocking out sports-radio host Mark Watson in under two minutes in a much-anticipated bout in Auckland in July 2012. He had also challenged former New Zealand batsman Craig McMillan and former England allrounder Andrew Flintoff to sparring matches previously. His upcoming match will be against blogger Cameron Slater, in the Super 8 Cruiserweight tournament in Christchurch.Ryder said people had questioned his decision to box again, given the physical assault he suffered outside a bar in Christchurch in March 2013 that put him in a coma, but he was sure he was ready. “A lot of people have come out and said I shouldn’t be doing it, but I’ve passed all my medical and concussion clinic tests and had no recurring issues so I’m happy with where I’m at,” Ryder said at a press conference. “If I had issues I wouldn’t have taken the fight.”Ryder also clarified the nature of the injury he picked up during that assault. “There were a lot of people saying I had a fractured skull, but there was nothing like that. It might have been a minor concussion. My lungs were the main reason I struggled after the incident happened.”In the last three years, Ryder’s off-field-issues list included him being dropped for disciplinary issues during the one-day series against South Africa in February 2012, before having to serve a six-month suspension for taking banned stimulants – a period that coincided with his recovery from the assault in Christchurch. He was recalled for the home series against West Indies in December, but was again dropped two months later for staying out late at an Auckland bar on the eve of a Test against India.

Mohammad Amir managed three wickets, including two in two balls, during 16 overs that blended swing and bounce, to mark his competitive return after an ICC ban for spot-fixing

Umar Farooq13-Mar-2015″What are you expecting?” Mohammad Amir wondered aloud, before playing his first official cricket match in four-and-a-half years. “Am I going to rip through the entire line-up all alone? I am not Superman.” Such a feat was indeed beyond him but he did manage three wickets, including two in two balls, during 16 overs that blended swing and bounce, to mark his competitive return after an ICC ban for spot-fixing.His comeback had been delayed by four days – a match against Pakistan Army was washed out – but the Rawalpindi Stadium was bathed in sunlight on Friday, the outfield lush and green. Millions of fans have awaited his return but few people were there to see him bowl four spells, taking 3 for 73, for Omar Associates in Pakistan’s Grade-2 cricket; the stadium, with a capacity of 15,000, was completely empty.There were plenty of journalists to record the moment, however. When Amir, with sunblock on, walked out from the dressing room wearing whites and a sky blue cap, he was quickly surrounded. He looked calm, with a smile on his face, as he pushed his way through to the ground. “I feel like I am starting from scratch,” he said. His last official appearance was an infamous one, almost five years ago at Lord’s.Amir has not changed a lot since then, at least physically; he is still thin and lanky in physique but with a more groomed appearance. His long, flowing hair has been cut back to go with a disciplined, sober-looking style and a trimmed moustache and beard.He was treated like a star throughout the day but Amir, now 22, still has a long way to go to regain his lost reputation. Formerly one of world cricket’s great prospects, he has been forced to play at the lowest level of the domestic game in Pakistan against the limited opposition of Capital Development Authority (CDA). He had modest success but clearly the fitness required to play at international level has faded.The three-day match is part of the Patron’s Trophy tournament, one level down from first-class cricket. Amir did have the company of a fellow international, though, as Omar Associates were led by Saad Nasim, capped three times by Pakistan in T20 cricket.Amir bowled four spells of six, three, four and three overs respectively. The opening spell with the new ball was the most dangerous. He bowled on a good length, mixing it up with swift bouncers, and his pace touched 140kph. He missed a hat-trick chance in his fourth over, when he dismissed two in two with a teasing length – the first edging to gully after being forced on to the back foot, followed by a inswinger that was nicked to second slip. He steamed in for his third successive scalp but ended up losing his line.His second spell was ragged, as he conceded 31 runs, including a no-ball that not only beat the batsman outside off but also passed the keeper for a boundary. “It happens, you concede runs when you are trying to get wickets,” Amir said. “It was a time when we needed a wicket and had to push and prevent both batsmen getting settled. So I went on but it didn’t go well.”A back-foot punch by CDA middle-order batsman Sarmad Bhatti through extra cover was the one shot which made Amir annoyed and he removed himself to take a break. His two no-balls sparked more debate, refreshing memories of that fateful day in 2010 when he delivered them to order against England.”Nothing in cricket has changed so far as I still can bowl an inswinger with control,” Amir said afterwards. “It was a good experience but it feel like starting from zero as I have lost everything. It was hard but the first ball I bowled here was with a belief that I can do it. In sport you can only be great or become a legend when you cope with the pressure and adapt in every circumstance. I today tried to give 100 percent but I need time to regain my rhythm and it will come the more cricket I play in the coming days.”But what is important is that I was controlling my game and myself. I know a bad thing happened in my life and I regret that. It has gone and it was a lesson for me. That was my peak back then but I can’t get that back. I am more concerned about my future. The fitness aspect, which I will be working on more in coming days, will further relax me in my bowling. “Playing for Omar Associates could be a launch pad for Amir and people are already expecting his international return when his ICC ban expires in September. Amir is optimistic about the possibility and he will also represent Rawalpindi Rams next month in the Pakistan Super Eight T20 cup, though hasn’t set a long-term goal. Pakistan have series scheduled against England, in the UAE, and India between October 2015 and February 2016.”My aim always have been to play for Pakistan and I am working for hard for it again,” Amir said. “Yes, the India series is something that is in my mind but I don’t know what is going to happen. What I am currently focusing on playing well and remaining fit – the rest is up to the selectors and PCB to decide.”

Jacques Rudolph has been named Glamorgan captain for 2015, replacing Mark Wallace who has been club captain for the last three seasons and Jim Allenby, who led the T20 side last season but has signed for Somerset

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Dec-2014Jacques Rudolph has been named Glamorgan captain for 2015, replacing Mark Wallace who has been club captain for the last three seasons and Jim Allenby, who led the T20 side last season but has since signed for Somerset.Rudolph, 33, joined Glamorgan on a two-year deal in 2014 and although he averaged a disappointing 31.74 in the Championship he made 575 runs at 82.14 in the Royal London Cup and 543 at 60.33 in the NatWest T20 Blast.”I’m very honoured and privileged to accept the invitation to lead Glamorgan,” Rudolph said. “I thoroughly enjoyed my first season with in Wales, but next year is a new challenge and following a number of changes I’m really looking forward to some exciting times ahead.”There were some encouraging signs last summer, especially as we came within one run of reaching Twenty20 Finals Day, but I’ve always set myself very high standards and I want to rectify a few things from 2014, especially in four-day cricket, as I feel we are a better team than what our final league position suggests.”Hugh Morris, the Glamorgan chief executive, said: “A leader on and off the field as well as being a genuinely likeable person, Jacques brings a wealth of experience to the role having been appointed captain of the Titans in 2010-11, as well as leading the South Africa A team and deputising in county cricket for Andrew Gale during his time with Yorkshire. He leads from the front and has shown throughout his career, and in his first season at Glamorgan, that he is a true professional and role model for younger players.””Mark Wallace has done a fine job as club captain during the course of the past three years, demonstrating tremendous dedication and commitment to the role and he will continue to be a valued and experienced voice in the dressing room and on the field within a leadership capacity.”Glamorgan’s rebuilding for next season has included signing South Africa batsman Colin Ingram as a Kolpak player, while they have also brought in James Kettleborough from Northamptonshire and Craig Meschede on a season-long loan from Somerset.