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A fine all-round performance from Hasti Gul guided Afghanistan to the World Cricket League Division 5 title, with a tense two-wicket victory, in a low-scoring thriller against hosts Jersey

Cricinfo staff31-May-2008
Scorecard

The victorious Afghanistan team after claiming their Division 5 title © CricketEurope
A fine all-round performance from Hasti Gul guided Afghanistan to the World Cricket League Division 5 title, with a tense two-wicket victory, in a low-scoring thriller against hosts Jersey. Gul hit an unbeaten 29, as Afghanistan slumped to 62 for 8 chasing just 81 for victory, to follow his three wickets.”This game was very important to the team and to the country,” said Gul. “Jersey got a small total but when I came into bat, all I wanted to do was to guide my team home and I am delighted to have accomplished the job. There will be lots of people waiting in Kabul to see the trophy and all of Afghanistan will be very happy.”Jersey were bundled out in less than 40 overs, but didn’t give up the chance of claiming a trophy in front of their home crowd without a real fight. Ryan Driver, the former Lancashire and Worcestershire batsman, took four wickets with his medium-pace. However, Gul didn’t take a backward step and launched the only two sixes of the match – over long-on and deep square-leg – to take Afghanistan within touching distance.
Dawlat Ahmadzi is carried off the field © CricketEurope
The tension was too much for Gul’s team-mates, who raced onto the field after he clipped Matt Hague to fine leg, only to realise the scores were only levelled. Four balls later they could really start to celebrate and the result continues a remarkable story of progression for Afghanistan cricket. The major achievement was reaching the final, thereby earning a place in the WCL Division 4 event, but claiming the trophy caps a memorable week for one of cricket’s rising outposts.Afghanistan’s bowlers took early control of the match as Jersey found it almost impossible to score. Abed took the first two wickets before Hamid Hassan decimated the middle order. There was also a wicket for Mohammad Nabi, the allrounder who has been an MCC Young Cricketer, as he produced a miserly seven-over burst.Jonny Gough top-scored with 23, but Gul was always in the thick of the action and also produced a run out to remove Bradley Vowden. It was fitting that he was at the crease to see his team home.

A series of terrorist strikes in Mumbai on Wednesday night has put in serious doubt the fate of the Champions Twenty20 tournament, scheduled to begin here next week, and the second Test between India and England next month

Cricinfo staff26-Nov-2008
People stand around a damaged vehicle at the site of an explosion in Mumbai © PA Photos
The fate of the Champions Twenty20 League, due to begin in Mumbai next week, is uncertain in the wake of Wednesday’s terrorist strikes. The ODI series between India and England has already been aborted and Cricket Australia has advised its two teams, Victoria and Western Australia, and other players taking part in the tournament against travel to India in the immediate future.A series of terrorist strikes in Mumbai on Wednesday night left at least 100 dead and 250 injured; the situation had not settled on Thursday morning, 12 hours after the attacks began, with Army troops joining the security operations.Cricket Australia has suspended plans for players with Champions League teams to travel to India, a move backed by Ricky Ponting. Shane Warne, captain and coach of Rajasthan Royals, was in Singapore en route Mumbai. He said he was “shocked” and didn’t think he would be completing the journey.Two Pakistani cricketers, Kamran Akmal and Sohail Tanvir, who are part of the Rajasthan Royals squad, landed in Mumbai yesterday. They were out for dinner when the attacks began and were told to return to their hotel immediately. Both are safe and currently unsure about what their plans are. “We are both safe in a hotel,” Tanvir said. “In Pakistan we are in a similar boat and both countries have to support each other. We are here for now and hope that things get better and can go on.”Naeem Gulzar, president of the Sialkot Region, Pakistan’s representative in the Champions League, said his team had no problems if the venue was changed from Mumbai to either Bangalore or Chennai. “We have not yet been advised by the Pakistan Cricket Board, but personally I would definitely like to accompany my team if the matches are shifted to Chennai and Bangalore,” Gulzar said.Cricket South Africa (CSA) are waiting for further advice before two of their franchises, the Dolphins and the Titans, leave for India this weekend for the Champions League. Graeme Smith and Makhaya Ntini are also part of the Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings respectively. “The safety of our players is of paramount concern to us at all times,” CSA chief executive Gerald Majola said. “We will have to wait for guidance from the Department of Foreign Affairs as well as the people on the ground in India before we take any decisions.”The strikes, including blasts and shooting incidents, were spread out across the city but the majority of them were in south Mumbai, the main tourist hub. In the early hours of Thursday morning, a major blaze was sweeping through the Taj Mahal hotel, a city landmark and the scene of one such attack, which was to host the two Test teams and was where the England side stayed during their warm-up period in Mumbai. It is also where Middlesex were set to check-in.The Brabourne Stadium, venue of the second Test and scheduled to host three Champions League games, is in the middle of the area where most attacks have taken place. It is also the vicinity where most foreign tourists are likely to stay.Middlesex were due to leave London for Mumbai at 10am on Thursday to prepare for the Champions League but postponed their departure by 24 hours after being told that matches scheduled for Mumbai would be switched to Bangalore. However, Brijesh Patel, secretary of the Karnataka State Cricket Associaton (KSCA) said he is yet to receive any information regarding such a shift.Asked if he was concerned by travelling to India, Shaun Udal, Middlesex’s captain, said: “You’d be a big liar if you said no … there are concerns, lots of us have families and children. It’s not just a cricket tournament any more. If I am told everything is fine in Bangalore then we’ll go.”What has made it particularly disturbing is the fact that we were going to stay at the Taj Palace Hotel 24 hours later. That’s really brought it to heart. If we had gone out 24 hours earlier then that would have been the Middlesex team. It could have been us. That’s what could have happened.””We have to consider whether players and their families are happy with us travelling,” Middlesex coach Toby Radford said. “Can you go somewhere and feel safe when there are people injured just 24 hours before? Our participation and the tournament itself must be in some doubt. Personally I would rather not be anywhere near there.”A Cricket Victoria spokesman said the team was due to stay in the Taj Palace after it landed on Saturday. They were scheduled to play the opening game in the city against Middlesex on Wednesday.”We’re reeling from the news of what’s taken place,” he said. “We’re liaising closely with Cricket Australia and the government to work out the implications for the tour. We will have to change some of our travel plans. It’s outside the scope of our normal areas of expertise.”Western Australia, however, said that their players were keen to participate in the Champions League if they were given the go-ahead by Cricket Australia. “We’ve spoken to the players and they are still keen to participate in the Champions League,” the chief executive Graeme Wood, said. “We will be guided by Cricket Australia and the WACA certainly won’t be jeopardising our staff or players.”

An impressive performance from the middle order helped Sri Lanka Academy level the three-match one-day series

Cricinfo staff23-Sep-2008
ScorecardAn impressive performance from the middle order helped Sri Lanka Academy level the three-match one-day series with a four-wicket win over the Bangladesh Cricket Board Academy in Colombo. Captain Jeewan Mendis scored 70, while Milinda Siriwardene made a 62-ball 66 and Nadeera Nawela chipped in with 40 as the hosts chased down a target of 234 in 48.5 overs.Mahbubul Alam struck in his first two overs to reduce Sri Lanka to 12 for 2, but Nawela and Mendis steadied the innings with a 79-run stand. An 85-run partnership followed between Mendis and Siriwardene after Nawela was run out. Mendis took 121 deliveries for his 70, while Siriwardene kept the chase in pace with the required-rate, hitting four fours and two sixes in his innings.When Siriwardene was lbw to offspinner Naeem Islam, Sri Lanka still needed 25 off 27 balls. Arafat Sunny, the left-arm spinner, took his second wicket of the match to leave the hosts at 216 for 6 off 46.3, but wicketkeeper Gihan De Silva and Sachith Pathirana steered them to victory.Bangladesh would perhaps rue not having scored a few more runs in their innings. Imrul Kayes top scored with 98 and at a strike-rate of around 80, but the other top-order batsmen Shamsur Rahman and Sunny were unable to push the scoring. Captain Naeem gave the innings momentum with his 58-ball 52. However, Shalika Karunanayake, who conceded 41 in his seven overs, removed Kayes, Naeem and Ziaur Rahman, Bangladesh’s hero in the first game, in his three successive overs. Three run-outs didn’t help their cause as they finished on 233 for 9.Both the teams will face off in the series decider on Thursday.

Auckland have appointed former Zimbabwe spinner Paul Strang as their head coach for the remainder of the New Zealand domestic season

Cricinfo staff26-Feb-2009Auckland have appointed former Zimbabwe spinner Paul Strang as their head coach for the remainder of the New Zealand domestic season. Strang will fill in for Mark O’Donnell who was recently appointed assistant coach of the national side for the ongoing series against India.Strang has been part of the coaching staff at Auckland for eight months and has also worked with their A team. He will be assisted by former New Zealand opening batsman Matt Horne.”Having worked with a lot of these guys already there won’t be too many new faces for me to get to know but it will be a different environment and with a different end goal,” Strang said. “Matt and I have already worked together a good deal and have a great understanding so the partnership should work well.”Auckland Cricket will review the position of long-term coach at the end of the season.

Southampton have completed a deal for ex-Chelsea youngster Dynel Simeu, as their summer recruitment drive finally picks up some pace [GOAL].

The Lowdown: Southampton get ready for 2021/22

Progressing towards the new campaign, Saints manager Ralph Hassenhuttl will be looking to all scouting avenues in order to build a team capable of climbing the Premier League table in 2021/22.

So far, the South Coast outfit have tied up moves for Theo Walcott, Olly Lancashire and Romain Perraud [Transfermarkt].

Now, they have managed to ratify a fourth summer signing, with the new season now just a couple of weeks away,

The Latest: Simeu completes move to the South Coast

Following a breakdown in contract talks with former club Chelsea, Simeu now makes the move to Hampshire for around £1.5 million after leaving Stamford Bridge [GOAL].

Though he was out of contract in West London, the Blues have received a development fee due to their role in nurturing the 19-year-old through the youth ranks.

Growing up on the south coast, he has now returned home on a three-year-contract, keeping him at St Mary’s until 2024.

He will initially join up with the B team, but could follow an accelerated path into the senior squad should he impress at youth level.

The Verdict: Southampton will be the ideal environment for Simeu to continue his development

Proudly retaining a reputation for having one of the best academies in European football, Simeu’s addition will present an exciting prospect to the Southampton support.

Witnessing young prodigies such as the aforementioned Walcott, Gareth Bale and James Ward-Prowse break into the senior fold in recent times, the club have cultivated a model which is proven to provide long-term benefits to the football club.

In 2020/21, the Yaoundé-born centre-back registered two goal contributions in 23 appearances for the Chelsea Under-23’s side; one goal and one assist [Transfermarkt].

Promising to say the least, Simeu captained the Chelsea development squad to the 2019-20 Premier League Two title.

Despite this, he leaves his previous employers without making a first-string outing. Southampton will be keen to see how far his potential can stretch on the South Coast.

In other news, Southampton fans react to links with a Bundesliga ace.

Leeds United youngster Leif Davis has reportedly passed his medical at Bournemouth and will join the Championship side on loan for the 2021/22 season.

The Lowdown: Lack of playing time

The 21-year-old was limited to just two Premier League appearances last season, both of which came from the substitutes’ bench, with first team chances few and far between.

With Junior Firpo replacing Ezgjan Alioski as Leeds’ first-choice left-back, Davis’s first team opportunities could continue to be limited in 2021/22.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359346″]

The Latest: Loan deal almost done

Having been linked with a loan move to Bournemouth, Football Insider are now claiming that Davis has passed a medical at the Championship club.

The deal is expected to be completed on Tuesday at some point, with the youngster spending the 2021/22 campaign on the south coast.

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The Verdict: Good move for youngster

This is an ideal move for Davis, who needs to continue his development by earning regular starts at senior level.

The Championship is a tough league which tests young players, but it could earn him great experience, with the defender hopefully returning a more well-rounded footballer.

Hopefully Davis will eventually be a regular part of Leeds’ squad, and this upcoming spell away from Elland Road could prove to be invaluable if he gets regular senior game-time out of it.

In other news, a pundit is unconvinced by Leeds potentially signing one player this summer. Find out who it is here.

Noel Whelan believes Harry Winks could be a fantastic signing for Southampton this summer.

The Lowdown: Winks to be available

It has been reported that new Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo is happy to let Winks leave this summer.

So far, Southampton have made two new signings in Romain Perraud (southamptonfc.com) and Danyl Simeu (chelseafc.com) – Ralph Hasenhuttl will no doubt be eager to add more new faces to his squad before the end of the transfer window.

The Latest: Whelan urges Saints move

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan believes Winks would be a great signing for Southampton. He said:

“I think everybody needs a player like that.

“You can look at Everton, they’ll have the money for a player like that, somebody with that sort of experience. I think most clubs will be fancying him.

“Obviously it’s whether you need a player that badly, where you don’t have that sort of player in your ranks. When you look at Leeds, we’ve got Kalvin Phillips.

“Most teams will have somebody along those kinds of lines. However, there will be teams that go: ‘Ooh, do you know what? We could maybe do with a player like that. Then we can push another player forward into that midfield area.

“I think it’s just important he gets out and starts playing again. Even Southampton, possibly, could do with a player like that.

“They play that good style of football, it’s on the deck it’s quick-paced. That to me would suit Harry Winks down to the ground.”

The Verdict: Worth a punt

Other than the 2019/20 campaign, 25-year-old Winks has never been a regular starter, but the fact both Mauricio Pochettino and Jose Mourinho were happy to have him in and arounds the Spurs squad says a lot about his ability – the former was such a fan, he even compared him to legendary Barcelona pair Xavi and Iniesta (via The Birmingham Mail).

With 173 appearances for Tottenham (Transfermarkt) and 10 caps for England, he is a player with plenty of talent. If Espirito Santo does not want him at the club, it does not make too much sense for him to stay – if the Saints could convince him to move to St. Mary’s Stadium, they would be capturing a top talent.

In other news, Saints fans slam these Ralph Hasenhuttl comments.

The ECB has cancelled next summer’s tour by Zimbabwe and suspended all bilateral arrangements with the Zimbabwe board

Cricinfo staff25-Jun-2008The ECB has cancelled next summer’s tour by Zimbabwe and suspended all bilateral arrangements with the Zimbabwe board.The news came minutes after Gordon Brown, the prime minister, told the House of Commons that he wanted the tour scrapped. “We want to ensure that Zimbabwe does not tour England next year and we will call for other countries to join us in banning Zimbabwe from the Twenty20 international tournament,” he said.In a short statement, Colin Gibson, the ECB’s head of corporate communications, said: “The ECB deplores the position in Zimbabwe and, like Cricket South Africa, finds this untenable. Therefore all bilateral arrangements are suspended with Zimbabwe Cricket with immediate effect.”The government has written to the ECB today and has made a clear instruction that Zimbabwe’s bilateral tour scheduled under the ICC Future Tours Programme for 2009 should be cancelled.”The ECB, which has been in constructive and extensive dialogue with the department for culture, media and sport for some time, welcome the government’s decision and share the government’s concerns about the deteriorating situation and lack of human rights in Zimbabwe.”Andy Burnham, the culture, media and sport secretary, told the ECB the government had “concluded that it would not be right to allow the proposed tour [to England] by Zimbabwe Cricket in 2009 to take place. The government has previously called on the ICC to reconsider its rules to allow teams to forfeit tours to countries, such as Zimbabwe, where serious human rights abuses are occurring. Unfortunately the ICC has declined to do so. Therefore, the government has decided to make it clear that it will take all necessary steps to prevent players from Zimbabwe from participating in that tour.”The ECB is now looking at identifying a replacement for the tour, which is scheduled to take place before the ICC World Twenty20 next June. “It’s a great relief in many ways,” said England’s one-day captain, Paul Collingwood. “It’s been going on since 2001, since I’ve been playing cricket [for England] and it’s good that it’s been taken out of our hands.”

Southampton have been linked with a move for West Ham’s Issa Diop recently and if he were to join Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side this summer, it could lead to Jannik Vestergaard’s exit.

What’s the word?

According to French news outlet Foot Mercato, Southampton, Wolves and Crystal Palace are all showing an interest in the 24-year-old ahead of next season.

It is suggested that a loan-to-buy deal has been suggested by some of the clubs without any success thus far and with West Ham arguably short on defensive options as it is, it would be something of a surprise if David Moyes allowed Diop to leave this summer ahead of the Hammers’ upcoming Europa League campaign.

Bye-bye Vestergaard?

If Southampton were to splash the cash on the former Toulouse man this summer, it would not be a surprise to see the Denmark international depart, as he has been heavily linked with a move away throughout the summer.

The 28-year-old’s contract at St Mary’s is set to expire at the end of next season and it makes a lot of sense for Southampton to sell him now rather than losing him for nothing in 2022, especially if they are able to bring in a direct replacement such as Diop.

The West Ham defender made just 18 appearances in the Premier League last season, averaging a less than impressive 6.64 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

However, he has been highly rated in the past, particularly by Jose Mourinho during his time at Manchester United, as he sang his praises following a defeat against the Hammers in 2018, saying:

“(He had a) fantastic match. Congratulations to the scout that found a 21-year-old kid Diop – a monster who dominated in the duels.”

If he were able to replicate those sorts of performances at St Mary’s, then he would surely prove to be an adequate replacement for the six-foot-six Vestergaard next season, with the Dane impressing both aerially and with the ball at his feet last term.

After an impressive Euros, it would not be a surprise to see the former Borussia Monchengladbach man depart Southampton, especially if Martin Semmens opts to sign Diop for Hasenhuttl this summer.

And, in other news… Hasenhuttl drops claim on “outstanding” beast that’ll delight Saints fans

A number of Liverpool supporters are hugely excited after an update was provided on the Reds’ quest to sign Florian Neuhaus this summer.

Jurgen Klopp will be on the lookout for new signings in the coming weeks, as he aims to perfect his squad heading into next season.

Liverpool no longer have the reliable Gini Wijnaldum to call upon, so it may be that a replacement comes in during the summer transfer window.

One player who has has been linked with the Reds in the past is Borussia Monchengladbach star Neuhaus, who is currently on Euro 2020 duty with Germany.

A fresh update has now been provided, with journalist Florian Plettenburg taking to Twitter to claim that Klopp ‘wants’ to sign the 24-year-old, with talks taking place in recent days.

David Lynch has also backed the reports of Klopp’s interest in the player.

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Liverpool fans react to Neuhaus update

The news has been met with great positivity by a number of Liverpool fans, who gave their thoughts on Twitter, with one hailing Neuhaus as a ‘very good player’.

“Get it done already @LFC”

Credit: @Smartooski

“Now, this is more like it. Get it done Redmen @LFC”

Credit: @TopicFt

“Interesting. Very good player. More realistic signing than Youri Tielemans”

Credit: @LFC_Wahome

“Please please PLEASE!!”

Credit: @NaathanByrne

“Top player”

Credit: @mikesm24

“Watched this guy, has serious engine”

Credit: @markopolo94

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been left fuming at a tweet by the club – read more here.