All posts by h716a5.icu

Liverpool have been linked with a move for Newcastle United winger Allan Saint-Maximin as manager Jurgen Klopp looks to bolster his attacker options.

What’s the story?

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, the Reds are one of three Premier League sides interested in securing the highly-rated 24-year-old’s signature, with Chelsea and fierce rivals Everton also listed as potential suitors.

The report states that Newcastle will not consider selling their prized asset in the January transfer window, but there is said to be growing optimism from Saint-Maximin’s camp that an exit from St. James’ Park can occur next summer.

Liverpool fans will be absolutely buzzing

Saint-Maximin has proven to be a real fans favourite since arriving on Tyneside back in August 2019, thanks to his incredible skills, blistering pace and entertaining style.

The former France Under-21 international has become the main man for Steve Bruce’s struggling side since he arrived, bagging nine goals and providing 14 assists in 63 appearances for the North-East outfit.

However, Saint-Maximin appears to have taken his game to another level in the opening weeks of 2021/22. In just six top-flight fixtures, the flying forward has scored two goals and laid on another three assists for his teammates.

His impressive performances have caught the eye of a host of the Premier League’s heavyweights, although, with five years left to run on his current contract, it will take a sizeable fee to prize the player away from Newcastle’s clutches.

Nevertheless, Liverpool supporters will surely be buzzing to learn of their club’s interest in Saint-Maximin.

The Reds were heavily linked with a new wide man in the previous transfer window following the departure of Xherdan Shaqiri, but no new arrival materialised for the 19-time English champions, leaving Klopp short of options in the final third.

With Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino approaching their 30th birthdays, bringing in Saint-Maximin could be a good way for Klopp to refresh his forward line, ensuring Liverpool continue to challenge at the top end of the table for many years to come.

And, in other news…Reliable journalist drops exciting Liverpool transfer update, Klopp would love him 

Australia have not tasted success in a Twenty20 fixture for four months so any victory, even in a practice match against Bangladesh, will not be sneezed at

Alex Brown at Trent Bridge01-Jun-2009Australia have not tasted success in a Twenty20 fixture for four months so any victory, even in a practice match against Bangladesh, will not be sneezed at. But as encouraging as the batting segment of their 38-run win at Trent Bridge was, by far the more important development for Australia was the performance of Shane Watson and Brett Lee; a duo whose recovery from injury could go far to determining the tourists’ fortunes in World Twenty20 and Ashes campaigns this summer.Watson was again withheld from bowling duties, but remains hopeful of fulfilling his all-round ambitions in the World Twenty20 proper. His batting, however, was from the very top shelf and provided further evidence that, after several unconvincing auditions, Australia have found the limited-overs opener they have sought since the retirements of Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist.Watson continued his sparkling touch from the recent series against Pakistan, hitting firmly through the line en route to a brisk 52 off 23 deliveries. His 100-run opening stand with Brad Haddin provided Australia with the platform from which to post an intimidating 219 for 6 in what was comfortably their best Twenty20 performance of the year. With the back and groin injuries that have blighted his 2009 campaign seemingly behind him, Watson is hopeful of reaching full fitness in the next fortnight.”That’s the plan,” Watson said, when asked whether he would be available to bowl in Australia’s World Twenty20 opener against West Indies. “It’s just building up over this week to be right to go for the first game. It was great to be able to get out and have a run around today and continue that confidence building.”I’ve been very excited to be able to get back over here and be a part of the Twenty20 and the Ashes squad as well. It’s a really exciting time for myself and I’m really enjoying my time over here. To get a few runs in the first game is a nice little confidence booster.”Lee might not have possessed the clinical execution of Watson, but the veteran paceman will nonetheless be satisfied to have completed another incident-free outing. Foot and ankle surgeries in January have restricted Lee to just a handful of 20-over matches this year, and for a bowler who relies heavily on rhythm, each match represents another step in his quest to reclaim his mantle as Australia’s spearhead in all three forms.”Brett seems to me like he’s gradually starting to find his feet,” said Watson, who knows a thing or two about comebacks. “From my experience, it does take a little while for me getting back to full pace. It can take a month or so to gradually get your body used to doing what you want to do with it. Brett’s in that phase at the moment. He looks really strong and he’s hitting the crease really hard. His best is just around the corner.”It’s definitely coming along, there’s no doubt about that. I know from experience it’s difficult and it takes a bit of time. You feel like you’re pulling down extremely hard on the crease but it’s just not coming out as fast as you want. But in time, over a couple of weeks, everything feels like it’s in alignment and you’re ready to go. I’m sure that’s exactly where Brett is at the moment.”

For the third day in a row, there was a new leader, the Delhi Daredevils occupied first place after strolling past a luckless Kolkata Knight Riders in Durban

The Bulletin by Siddarth Ravindran05-May-2009
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Kolkat Knight Riders’ woefulness in the field made Delhi Daredevils’ ascent to the top easier•Associated PressIt’s getting hard to keep track of who’s on top of the IPL table. For the third day in a row, there was a new leader, now with the Delhi Daredevils occupying first place after strolling past a luckless Kolkata Knight Riders in Durban. To make victory even sweeter, one of their key batsmen, Gautam Gambhir, was back among the runs after an indifferent start to the tournament.After Morne van Wyk made the most of his chance at the top of the order to push Kolkata towards a middling total, they fielded like millionaires, granting the Delhi batsmen innumerable chances to simplify the chase.Gambhir, in particular, was virtually coaxed back to form. He was grassed a couple of times, that too by two of the better fielders in the side, on 22 by Brendon McCullum and on 65 by Moises Henriques, a run-out opportunity was wasted on 35, and he was given plenty of free runs as well. Even the umpire gave him a let-off by not picking a nick to the wicketkeeper when on 45.An early exchange with Ishant Sharma showed how Delhi were helped along to victory. The first over had Ishant exchanging wry grins with his Ranji team-mate Gambhir after tying him down to an outside-edged four. The smiles were gone after some woeful fielding in his next over: Ashok Dinda made a mess at fine-leg, Sourav Ganguly gave away a couple of extra runs after a less-than-athletic effort at mid-off the next ball, and another Dinda fumble allowed the batsmen to return for two. Ishant lost his cool, and his line in the next delivery, presenting Gambhir a leg-side gift, which was glanced for four. Seventeen came off the over, and Delhi proved hard to rein in after that.David Warner again showed his ability to clear the boundary, a Hayden-esque down-the-pitch pull off Dinda was the stand-out stroke in his blazing cameo. A couple of lofted drives for four off consecutive deliveries emphasised his ominous form but Ajit Agarkar beat Warner for pace two balls later, and had him holing out to Moises Henriques.There was little relief for Kolkata, though, as Tillakaratne Dilshan demonstrated his form with a couple of cracking cover drives off Agarkar. Gambhir and Dilshan settled on a recipe of risk-free singles with a sprinkling of boundaries to keep Delhi on course. The missed chances already had the Kolkata camp frustrated, and the sight of several boundaries just beating a diving fielder added to their woes. It was only towards the end that the batsmen opened out, to finish the job with an over to spare.Such a one-sided game didn’t seem on the cards after van Wyk glued the fragile Kolkata top order to take them near 150. Their opening troubles seemed set to continue when McCullum struggled to get bat on ball in the first over. But in the first delivery of the third over, McCullum’s bolt-down-the-track scythe finally connected and sent the ball rocketing over deep point. A controlled on-drive for four followed next delivery, and a swat sailed past the midwicket boundary three balls later fetched 21 runs off the over.Prime Numbers6.68 The economy rate of Amit Mishra, the best by a Delhi bowler this season58The best opening partnership for Kolkata this season49The number of runs given away by Dirk Nannes, making it the worst in terms of economy rate for a Delhi bowler 5The number of half-centurions in the Delhi team, Gautam Gambhir being the latest addition8The number of boundary hits by Brendon McCullum in the tournamentBy the time McCullum clobbered Pradeep Sangwan over midwicket for a flat six, Kolkata were 48 for 0 after five overs, and the two batsmen were sharing a joke in the middle, not a common sight in Kolkata’s campaign so far.It was Sangwan who was laughing a couple of overs later, when he had McCullum slapping the ball straight to fine leg. The in-form Brad Hodge joined van Wyk, but Sangwan and Mishra kept the brakes on. Kolkata could only score in singles for the first five overs after the Powerplays, and the run-rate had flatlined to 6.45.It was an uncharacteristic fielding error at long-on from AB de Villiers that helped release the pressure for Kolkata. The next delivery was cut away for four more by van Wyk, who caressed three more boundaries in the over that followed from Sangwan. Right through the innings, van Wyk showed his ability to finesse his way to the runs, rarely attempting one of the most favoured strokes in Twenty20: the mow over midwicket.Just as the runs started to flow, Hodge was dismissed, slowing Kolkata down again. They were at 111 for 2 after 16, when Henriques and van Wyk opened out to lash 28 off the next two. Kolkata needed a couple more like that to finish off, but Nannes and the outstanding Ashish Nehra kept it full and straight to not let them get into fifth gear.Kolkata finished with a total that was disappointing, with wickets still in hand, but it was nowhere as disheartening as the shoddiness in the field that was to follow.

When Ciaran Dickson raced away after scoring for Celtic’s Old Firm rivals in 2019, he wouldn’t have expected to be scoring a goal whilst wearing Hoops’ shirt just three years later.

Dickson has always been a talented player but he was released this summer and looks to have joined the Bhoys following a few weeks without a club.

Though, a matter of years ago, he looked like one of the biggest talents to come through the Gers academy. He netted in a dramatic FA Youth Cup final at Hampden where Scotland’s two biggest teams met each other.

He had the world at his feet but his career hasn’t quite fully taken off. However, if things don’t work out at Rangers; just join their fierce rivals instead.

Dickson hasn’t been seen in the first team yet but earned his debut for the Celtic B team last weekend where he scored in the club’s SPFL Trust trophy defeat to Morton.

Playing in midfield, the 19-year-old was a threat going forward and adds to a wide array of promising young attacking players at the club.

Owen Moffat has already scored five goals in one game this season while Celtic are eagerly awaiting the return of Karamoko Dembele who should be a star in the Lowland League.

Ange Postecoglou has already spoken of the importance of bringing through homegrown players and after scoring last weekend, Dickson will now be on the Australian’s radar.

Continue how he’s going and he could be Celtic’s new David Turnbull. Comments made about the teenager back in 2019 show just how similar they are.

Graeme Murty said: “Ciaran is a really interesting guy because he possesses some wonderful technique, we are still building things onto him in terms of capacity and in terms of understanding but he deals with the ball very very well.”

Turnbull easily has one of the most aesthetically pleasing techniques in the squad and seems to be going from strength to strength.

Like Dickson, he’s capable of striding forward from midfield and scoring goals. The Scot already has five strikes to his name in 11 outings this term for instance.

Quotes from Steven Gerrard also tell a story of his excellent attributes: “I thought young Dickson was terrific. He played with energy, personality and character. He’s the type who will never let me down.”

On that evidence, it seems as if the Bhoys have got their hands on an incredibly promising player.

AND in other news, Forget Carter-Vickers: Celtic’s “walking joke” who won 100% duels starred last weekend…

A team of baggage handlers and bursars overwhelmed the romantics’ choice Afghanistan, beating them by five wickets thanks to a composed 81 from Nithin Gopal and an impressive all-round performance from their bowlers

Will Luke in Vanderbijlpark08-Apr-2009
ScorecardA team of baggage handlers and bursars overwhelmed the romantics’ choice Afghanistan, beating them by five wickets thanks to a composed 81 from Nithin Gopal and an impressive all-round performance from their bowlers. Chasing 252, UAE lost a couple of quick wickets with 20 overs to spare, but were guided home safely by Saqib Ali’s 69. It was quite a comeback for a side that was rolled for just 79 last week. The defeat, however, does not eliminate Afghanistan from the Super Eights, though the World Cup dream is now more unlikely than ever.During Afghanistan’s staccato-like innings, Colin Wells, the former Sussex and England allrounder now coaching UAE, confidently told Cricinfo that his side would chase 250 or more without so much as breaking sweat. Given their performance against Denmark, against whom they smashed 379 for 6, this claim was far from outlandish. UAE again showed great confidence at the crease, and were particularly effective against the spinners. Wells’ preparations for this tournament amounted to just three weeks of honing his side of amateurs but, as they showed in the ICC Intercontinental Cup, his is a side brimming with raw talent.Their chase began horribly, however, when Amjad Javed – who carved 164 a few days ago – was bowled first ball by Shapoor Zadran, a towering left-armer who would be a handful in juicier conditions. Afghanistan’s confidence was short-lived, however, as Arshad Ali and Gopal combined in a match-seizing second-wicket stand of 117. Gopal impressed through the off-side, though both he and Ashad were gifted too many full-tosses which were confidently flicked through midwicket. On several occasions, deft nudges beat fine-leg who was too fine, too short, or too asleep.Afghanistan’s fielding was a disappointment, having excelled against Bermuda earlier in the competition, though Shafiqullah did pull off a slick pick-up-and-throw from mid-off to dismiss Ali. Gopal, too, fell when a hundred was there for the taking when Hamid Hassan – who Bermuda’s captain, Irvine Romaine, last week claimed was the quickest bowler in the tournament – had him caught behind. And there was further joy for Afghanistan when Khurram Khan chipped one back to Mohammad Nabi, leaving UAE needing 92 from 17 overs. Saqib was merciless on anything short, however, and hammered seven fours in his bristling knock, while Naeemuddin Aslam leant back and hammered a six to seal the win.In contrast Afghanistan’s batting lacked substance; Asghar Stanikzai’s patient 69 from 107 balls helped them survive two early blows, but only Nowroz Mangal’s 46 gave him meaningful support. UAE’s fielding was slick and alert, despite Wells’ irritation from the boundary edge, and Zahid Shah’s medium pacers earned him 4 for 59 from 10 overs in what was a tidy display by their attack.However, Afghanistan’s coach Kabir Khan was pleased with his side making the Super Eight stage. “This is a great achievement for us,” Kabir said. “We came from Division 5 and now we have left behind us one team that played in the last World Cup [Bermuda] and two sides that were in Division 2 [Denmark and Oman] as well as Uganda which qualified with us from Division 3 so we are delighted with the progress we are making. It’s a great moment.”Our first target was to get in the top eight. Now we have set our sights on the top six because that will bring ODI status for four years. Qualifying for the World Cup will be very difficult as we will have to win all four games probably but that dream is deep inside me. Anything can happen and we have not given up hope. We don’t know how to give up hope.”

Group A Team Mat Won Lost Tied N/R Pts Net RR For Against

Ireland 5 5 0 00 10 +1.492 1115/204.4 989/250.0Canada 5 4 1 0 08 +1.490 1270/247.0 880/241.0 Scotland 5 3 2 0 0 6-0.318 1086/250.0 1108/237.4 Namibia 51 4 0 0 2 -0.5061104/250.0 1206/245.0 Uganda 5 14 0 0 2 -0.928 1082/250.01131/215.1 Oman 5 1 40 0 2 -1.144 1052/237.1 1395/250.0

Group B Team Mat Won Lost Tied N/R Pts Net RR For Against

Kenya 5 4 10 0 8 +1.683 1043/190.3 934/246.2 Netherlands 5 4 1 00 8 +0.557 1271/235.4 1205/249.1U.A.E. 5 4 1 0 08 -0.131 1173/243.4 1050/212.2 Afghanistan 5 2 3 0 0 4-0.278 1074/246.2 1130/243.4 Bermuda 51 4 0 0 2 -0.4411026/238.1 1150/242.1 Denmark 5 05 0 0 0 -1.341 1046/250.01164/210.4

John Key, New Zealand’s prime minister, gave his clearest message yet that he was prepared to step in to prevent the tour of Zimbabwe in July go ahead

Cricinfo staff22-Feb-2009John Key, New Zealand’s prime minister, gave his clearest message yet that he was prepared to step in to prevent the tour of Zimbabwe in July go ahead.”I’m pretty reluctant for the Black Caps to travel,” Key said. “There are very real, genuine security risks for our players.” Asked if he was willing to go further than his predecessor and actually ban the players from going he said that he was. “There are some options that I am working through at the moment.”We don’t support that regime. We don’t support what is happening in that country, and we don’t want to give a signal that we do.”If Key does step in, then it will free New Zealand Cricket from having to make a difficult choice.”It’s a political question and requires a political solution; it’s not a decision NZC should have to make,” Justin Vaughan, the board’s CEO, said. “We are a group of cricket administrators. We might have strong feelings about the situation in Zimbabwe but judging international politics is not what we’re about.”

Celtic pocketed close to £1m after Jack Hendry sealed a deadline day move to Club Brugge from Oostende, according to The Daily Record.

The Lowdown: Busy final day

The Hoops were extremely busy on the final day of the summer window, bringing in three new faces in Georgios Giakoumakis, Filipe Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Leigh Griffiths, Ryan Christie and Odsonne Edouard all sealed Parkhead exits, with Celtic coming out of the market with an £11.5m profit.

Hendry, who also left Celtic this summer for £1.35m, was on the move again, and that has helped the Hoops’ finances.

The Latest: Hendry move

Hendry signed for Club Brugge in a deal worth £6.8m on Tuesday, signing a four-year deal.

The Daily Record claim that the Hoops will receive almost £1m from a sell-on clause in the transfer between the two Belgian clubs.

The Verdict: Scales and Shaw paid for

With Celtic set to receive close to seven figures for Hendry, that has meant that Dominic McKay has secured the services of Liam Scales and Liam Shaw for effectively nothing.

The versatile pair arrived at a combined fee of £851,000 from Shamrock Rovers and Sheffield Wednesday respectively.

Hendry’s sell-on clause should cover both of those deals, and who knows, Celtic could end up making a profit on both Liam’s in years to come as well.

This feels like a really positive start to McKay’s reign.

In other news: Greek journalist drops late Celtic transfer news; ace didn’t want to move.

Norwich City are reportedly interested in signing Brighton goalkeeper Christian Walton before the summer transfer window closes.

The Lowdown: Time running out

The Canaries have had a sobering return to the Premier League, suffering respective 3-0 and 5-0 defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City.

Daniel Farke may still be on the lookout for new signings ahead of next Tuesday’s transfer deadline in order to strengthen his squad, particularly at the back, where their latest target plies his trade.

The Latest: Walton linked with Norwich move

According to Football Insider’s Brighton source, Norwich are one of a number of clubs eyeing up a move for Walton, with Nottingham Forest and Derby County also mentioned.

The 25-year-old, who was once hailed as ‘different class’ by Luton Town teammate Scott Cuthbert, didn’t make a single Premier League appearance for Brighton last season.

The Seagulls are believed to have lowered their asking price for Walton, with his contract expiring at the AMEX Stadium next summer.

The Verdict: Good squad option

Walton could be a solid addition for Norwich, not coming in as first-choice between the sticks but providing competition for Tim Krul and Angus Gunn.

Granted, he could find it difficult to earn playing time, as has been the case at Brighton, but a fresh challenge may do him the world of good and it’s fair to say Krul hasn’t exactly been convincing so far.

Walton has made 83 Championship appearances, highlighting his experience, and at 25 he is still relatively young for a goalkeeper, so could develop into a first XI option.

In other news, one Norwich player has been tipped to join a fellow Premier League club. Find out who it is here.

The vast majority of the transfer window for Everton has revolved around James Rodriguez.

Will he or won’t he be a part of the Toffees’ plans for the season is a question on everyone’s lips, but we may have just received an answer.

What’s the word?

For so long it looked as though Rodriguez had played his final game for the Merseyside outfit. His agent Jorge Mendes was speaking to other clubs and he could have been on his way to Italy.

A move to Porto nearly materialised too with the attacking midfielder potentially heading back to his former club in exchange for winger Luis Diaz.

However, a major twist has occurred on deadline day, according to the Liverpool Echo.

They now report that, with James unable to agree on personal terms or find a suitable club in the final hours of the window, he is now willing to stay at Everton.

Rafa must be delighted

Rafa Benitez will know James well from his time at Real Madrid, and once he penned terms at Goodison Park, he will have been keen to utilise him.

However, the Colombian hasn’t been seen all season, so the Spaniard hasn’t actually been able to put him on the team sheet yet.

It’s difficult to work out whether he’d have wanted to initially, though. James infamously declared that he didn’t even know who Everton’s next opponents were during a Twitch stream a few weeks ago.

That being said, it’s difficult to ignore his qualities, and with Everton struggling to sign new players, he is still a key part of their squad.

You only need to assess his remarkable CV and his performances during a debut campaign in English football.

The Colombia international had a hand in ten Premier League goals, while he was their most creative player in the top-flight. Rodriguez provided 1.7 key passes per game, which was more than anybody else in the squad.

With that in mind, the manager will surely be delighted to see him wanting to stay at Goodison Park. He could be vital in their chase for European football.

AND in other news, “Talks progressing” – Insider delivers exciting Everton claim, Benitez surely elated…

Josh Brodie and James Franklin posted hundreds as Wellington won by an innings and 12 runs over Northern Districts

Cricinfo staff04-Dec-2008Josh Brodie and James Franklin posted hundreds as Wellington registered a formidable first-innings total of 520 that pushed them to an innings-and-12-run win over Northern Districts at the Basin Reserve. Brodie, a 21-year-old playing his fourth first-class game, passed fifty for the first time on the way to a breakthrough 110 while Franklin boosted his quest to be included in New Zealand’s squad as an allrounder with 160.Faced with making 210 to force a second Wellington innings, Northern Districts were dismissed for 198 after drinks in the third session of the final day. The captain James Marshall stood out with an unbeaten 105, but he did not receive much assistance as Mark Gillespie took his match haul to eight wickets. Graeme Aldridge’s 63 helped Northern Districts to 310 in their first innings after they won the toss. The home side’s bowling was led by Gillespie, who took 4 for 81, while Graham Napier picked up three wickets on the opening day.