Less than 24 hours after Brian Lara passed a medical test and West Indieslooked set to take a full strength squad to Sri Lanka key middle orderbatsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul has been ruled out with a back injury.Chanderpaul had been given the all clear earlier in the week after an MRIscan, but as the West Indies training camp in Jamaicia drew to a close, hesuffered from back spasms.Team manager Ricky Skerritt admitted to BBC Online that the left-handerwould be forced out of the seven-week long Asian tour.”He has been ruled out due to back spasms that have been bothering since hearrived here for the Red Stripe Bowl,” Skerritt said.No replacement has so far been named, but fellow left-hander, Wavell Hinds,who was drafted into the squad as cover for Lara, is expected to take hisplace.Chanderpaul, like Lara, has been dogged by injury for over a year, havingmissed four Tests in England last year with an elbow injury.He only played one Test match in Australia too after suffering a stressfracture of the right foot.The Sri Lanka tour begins on November 4 and the West Indies are scheduled toplay three Test matches against Sri Lanka and in a tri-nation one-daytournament against the host team and Zimbabwe in December.
Tottenham manager Antonio Conte could finally replace Emerson Royal by signing Nottingham Forest dynamo Djed Spence this summer.
What’s the story?
Amid reports back in the January transfer window claiming that the north London club were looking at signing Adama Traore and using him as a right wing-back, it’s clear that Conte is keen to strengthen that position.
Goal have now claimed that it’s Spurs who are leading the race to sign Spence, although a number of European giants, including Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, are circling as well.
Could finally replace Emerson Royal
According to transfer insider Dean Jones, the 21-year-old full-back could be available for a reasonable fee, even despite the competition that appears to exist for his signature.
He told GiveMeSport: “There’s going to be a lot of competition to sign him, but Middlesbrough are open to the idea of him leaving permanently. I think it’s £10m, I was told, that was the figure, which isn’t that bad for a Premier League club to be signing a player at that level.”
Described as a “constant threat” by former Premier League title winner Wes Morgan, Spence really came to the fore with a performance against Arsenal in the FA Cup in January, a display which had Ian Wright waxing lyrical about him.
The BBC pundit gushed: “Let me say, that was one of the best right-back performances I have seen for a very long time. A very long time. I have not seen a combative, technical, swashbuckling performance like that for a very long time.”
With Emerson struggling badly since his move to Spurs last summer – he’s been dubbed a “liability” by some fans following his performances – Conte could find the ideal replacement in Spence.
Indeed, former Spurs defender Jonathan Woodgate has recently claimed that the 22-year-old would be a significant upgrade on Emerson.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
He said: “If you play in La Liga like Emerson Royal has, balls don’t really go into the box that much to the back post. You don’t need to do that much defending. In the Premier League, it happens week in, week out. I’ve watched Emerson Royal and Djed Spence for Nottingham Forest, and Spence looks a different level, compared to him.”
Getting Spence in would finally allow Conte to axe the Brazilian defensive disaster.
Meanwhile, Spurs are leading the race for this English starlet…
Jackson Bird and Chadd Sayers have been included as specialist seam bowling role players in Australia’s Test squad for the tour of New Zealand next month.In an assignment that can earn Steven Smith’s men the No. 1 Test ranking, Bird and Sayers have been included as pace support for Josh Hazlewood, James Pattinson and Peter Siddle, in expectation of well grassed and seaming pitches. Steve O’Keefe and Scott Boland were dropped from the 14-man squad for Australia’s most recent Test — the rain-marred draw in Sydney against West Indies — to make room for Bird and Sayers.Bird played his most recent Test for Australia in Durham on the 2013 Ashes tour, while Sayers has never played for the national team. However he has turned out for Australia A, including on the tour of the British Isles that preceded the Ashes three years ago. The selection chairman Rod Marsh said Sayers had been in the frame for some time, excepting time out last season due to injury that also cruelled his chances of making the 2015 Ashes tour.”Chadd’s got a terrific record in Sheffield Shield cricket, he was injured most of last summer but he started well again this summer,” Marsh said. “The season before he was rewarded with A team status in the side that went to England and did very well there. And it’s a matter of horses for courses, we think the conditions in New Zealand will suit Chadd as much as anyone. He’s a good bowler under conditions that nibble around a little bit, and we’re very happy for him to be chosen.”Even last summer when he played earlier in [2014] against India A at Allan Border Field you remember that game where it appeared thousands of runs were scored. Chadd bowled a lot of overs and got five-for and his figures outshone any other bowler. He can bowl, he thoroughly deserves his selection.”Under normal New Zealand conditions I think you have to bowl line and length, you’ve got to be patient. It’s something we haven’t always been good at, but we’ll have to get good at it if we want to win this series.”As for the contention that the selection of Bird and Sayers was a deviation from the “pace is power” mantra adopted by the coach and selector Darren Lehmann, Marsh demurred. “I haven’t deviated from anything, because what I always thought is you pick the best bowlers for those conditions,” he said. “To me speed is not everything … there’s no point bowling 150kph if you bowl half volleys and wides. Good bowling is good bowling, you pick your best bowlers. I don’t care what speed they bowl, as long as they bowl beautifully.”The batting line-up arrived as expected following a strong showing by Australia’s top order at home this summer. Mitchell Marsh remains the selectors’ allrounder of choice. “I’m not totally surprised but I’m very happy,” Marsh said of how the batting line-up had settled. “That’s the bottom line, they’ve done exceptionally well. Make hay while the sun shines. Their confidence is obviously up and it’ll need to be up, because New Zealand are a very, very good cricket team.”Australia’s most recent Test tour of New Zealand was in 2010. Of that touring party only Smith, who was then a young and uncapped project player, will be making the trip again. I don’t know what we’re going to get in New Zealand, but if you just look at the pitch they played on in the World Cup game in Auckland that did a bit,” Marsh said. “And the Sri Lankan series those did a bit, so you’re assuming they’re going to do a little bit.”It’s exciting at the moment because if we win in New Zealand we could well go to No. 1, if we play decent T20 cricket we could well go to No. 1 there, and I think we’re that far ahead in one day cricket on the ratings it could be that we could get to No. 1 in all three forms.”Australia squad: Steven Smith (capt), David Warner, Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja, Adam Voges, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Chadd Sayers, Jackson Bird.
Bermuda 231 for 7 (Tucker 59*, Edness 41) beat Uganda 224 for 9 (Kishore 84*, Ruyange 50, Hurdle 4-40) by seven runs ScorecardBermuda won their opening warm-up match against Uganda in Nairobi, but they were taken to the wire, eventually squeezing a seven-run victory.Bermuda, whose form in the last year has been desperately poor, need good results in Kenya and the UAE, and they got off to a good start after winning the toss, Stephen Outerbridge and Jekon Edness putting on 83 for the first wicket. But then the innings lost its way as five wickets fell for 53 runs, Davies Arinaitwe and Frank Nsubuga picking up two each. Nsubuga’s offspin was particularly effective on a slow pitch, his ten overs producing excellent figures of 2 for 24.Janeiro Tucker led a middle-order revival, smacking an unbeaten 59, including five sixes, as Bermuda recovered to 231 for 7.Kevin Hurdle struck twice in his opening overs to reduce Uganda to 7 for 2, and although they eased to 85 for 4, the game seemed beyond them. Nandi Kishore had other ideas, and with Daniel Ruyange he boosted the score to 170 before Dwayne Leverock broke the stand. The reintroduction of Hurdle was too much for the lower middle-order, and although Kishore kept blazing, the ask was just too much for Uganda.Bermuda will be relieved to have avoided an embarrassing slip-up while Uganda will take great heart from an impressive performance. The two sides meet again on Tuesday (October 23).
Less than a week after arriving in Bangladesh, Zimbabwe’s selectors have drafted two more players into the squad, calling up fast bowler Ed Rainsford and legspinner Graeme Cremer. The pair are expected to arrive in Dhaka on Friday.Rainsford was left out of the original squad that left last week after he cracked his thumb taking a catch during a practice match. Sources say the doctor’s note stated that he was going to be fit two hours before the team’s scheduled flight, prompting the selectors to leave him out.It appears Rainsford, the only genuine quick bowler among the current crop of Zimbabwe bowlers has high chances of playing in the five-match one-day series but will miss the series opener scheduled for Khulna on Thursday. His return puts pressure on Anthony Ireland and Christopher Mpofu who are likely to take the new ball for Zimbabwe. Ireland did duty with Rainsford during the Champions Trophy in India while Mpofu was recently handed an international recall after more than a year on the sidelines.Cremer, a legspinner with an ability to bowl long spells, has been called up for the additional two first-class matches that have been added to Zimbabwe’s tour.
A body representing West Bengal’s film-making community has thrown its weight behind Sourav Ganguly by appealing to the public to not attend the fourth one-dayer between India and South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Ganguly’s omission from the one-day side first and then subsequent removal from captaincy in Tests has provoked outrage in his home state, but the film-makers’ appeal to boycott might not be successful, as a member of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) told the Kolkata-based that ticket sales had been satisfactory.Actors Biplab Chatterjee and Rupa Ganguly of the West Bengal Motion Picture Artists’ Forum asked for an inquiry to be initiated into the manner in which Ganguly was dropped, and sent a memo to Rahul Dravid, the new Indian captain, Kiran More, the head of selectors, and Gautam Dasgupta, the BCCI secretary. However, Dasgupta said that no such memo had reached his notice, and played down the protests by saying that they did not concern the board.Security arrangements for cricket matches in India are heavy and omni-present, but whether their presence will be beefed up for the forthcoming match in light of the protests remains to be seen. A senior CAB official said, “Police are aware of such protests, but I’m yet to get information about any extra security for them.”
The Indian team suffered another setback as Laksmipathy Balaji was ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy with an abdominal injury. He will return to India shortly. Amit Bhandari, the medium pacer from Delhi, has been chosen to replace him.Balaji has become the second Indian to drop out, after Sachin Tendulkar’s tennis elbow did not recover in time. Speaking to reporters at the indoor nets at the Rose Bowl, Sourav Ganguly said: “There’s a problem with Balaji and we’ve asked for a replacement. He had a problem with his abdomen [muscle] this morning and we’ve asked for a replacement.”Balaji’s problem cropped up in London during the NatWest Challenge. He experienced some muscle pain in the abdomen, and was treated for it. “He had an injection in London on the 7th,” said Ganguly, “and we hoped he would recover, but the injury has not responded since then.”The Indian selectors picked Bhandari to replace Balaji. Bhandari has played two one-day internationas for India, and has picked up five wickets. His last match for India was against Zimbabwe in the VB Series earlier this year, in which he took 3 for 31 in 7.4 overs.
Two stalwarts of South African and Natal cricket have died with 24hours of each other. Dereck Dowling and Walter “Billy” Wade, both 89,Passed away in Durban at the end of last week, Dowling on May 30 and Wade on May 31.Wade was unable to tour, but played in 11 Tests for South Africa,against England in 1938-39 and 1948-49 and then against Australia in 1949-50. An unorthodox striker, he played for South Africaas a wicketkeeper/batsman although, as John Arlott observed, he had little liking for wicketkeeping and often played for Natal as a batsman.The rrother of the former South African captain Herby Wade, he diedin the same house he had lived in all his life.Dowling, an allrounder who bowled legspin, played for Natal andBorder either side of the war but came into his own as an administrator, and was a former president of Natal.
With Manicaland’s first-league season due to start in the next few weeks, most of the young coaching professionals have returned from their U.K. winter employment. Alec Taylor, Kingsley Went, Richie Sims and Neil Ferreira will join new academy graduates Justin Lewis, Ian Coulson and Leon Soma in a tighter than normal fight for first team places. Missing from last season will be Patrick Gada (emigrated to the U.S.A.) and Jason Young (future undecided – awaiting developments in the U.K.).Mutare Sports Club was the venue last weekend for the second annual winter districts cricket festival. The five teams that normally contest the social winter districts league come together for four 10-over matches culminating in a plate and final on Sunday afternoon. The teams were made up mostly of farmers and farming evictees from Odzi, Old Umtali, Upper Bvumba and Burma Valley, together with a Hillcrest College Old Boys side.The emphasis was on fun and forgetting the dire state of farming and Zimbabwe’s problems. Sponsors had stuck Z$70 000 (about U.S.$235) behind the bar and the amount remained unbeaten after two days – a sure sign that Zimbabwe’s currency will continue to attract the international bargain-hunters. Performances ranged from a top end of awful with jeering wives, girlfriends and fellow-contestants applauding every mishap and shortcoming. Eventual winners Hillcrest Old Boys were booed every step of the way for taking themselves and their cricket too seriously during a boring victory over fellow finalists Burma Valley.The previous weekend I had an opportunity to experience firsthand the results of the Zimbabwe Cricket Union’s pilot project for black cricket advancement at the (soon to be renamed) Churchill high school in Harare. Promising black cricketers discovered at coaching clinics around the country are found places at Churchill where a cricket culture is fostered. Pupils receive coaching at the CFX Academy, which is a short distance down the road.Travelling from Mutare as umpire/coach with Hillcrest College’s under-16 side, our team was given a taste of the uncompromising future of Zimbabwe cricket. Churchill’s new black professionals destroyed all four (mostly white) Mutare teams in humiliating and soulless fashion.Over lunch after watching Churchill race to 268 for three in 35 overs, my fellow umpire (a Churchill teacher) confessed the school has too many players and too few coaches. Each age group have four teams vying for promotion, with highly visible classmates Tatenda Taibu and Hamilton Masakadza as role models spurring them on. One gets the sensation of Mike Tyson goes to Lord’s watching these `out the ghetto’ no-prisoners road warriors. Results and personal statistics take precedence over everything as potential future contracts are eyed. Umpiring decisions are routinely disputed and umpires derided in an atmosphere reminiscent of Lord of the Flies. The teachers are ill-equipped to moderate excessive behaviour, being at best first-generation cricket watchers themselves.Whilst it is exciting watching the emerging talent of this new breed of Zimbabwe player, one can’t help but recall Don Bradman’s words that "young players are the trustees of the game". The Z.C.U.’s problems are about to get bigger.
Fuelled by EA SPORTS IGNITE, FIFA 14 will feel alive with players who think, move, and behave like world-class footballers, and dynamic stadiums that come to life. Players have four times the decision making ability and feel alive with human-like reactions, anticipation, and instincts.
With 10 times more animation depth and detail than previous consoles, FIFA 14 delivers the dynamic movements and biomechanics of the world’s best footballers. Players are agile and athletic as they plant, pivot and cut, and explode out of each step. The increased fidelity has a game-changing effect on gameplay. Plus, the artistry and athleticism of footballers will come to life with the addition of hundreds of new types of skills and hundreds of new behaviors. And for the first time ever, fans will feel the electricity of a living stadium as the emotions of new 3D crowds rise and fall around the stories on the pitch. Additional features will be revealed in the months ahead, but here are a list of some of the biggest changes FIFA 14 has in store for everyone:
EA SPORTS IGNITE — Ignite blends new technology with the best rendering, run-time physics, animation, intelligence, locomotion, and online systems from across EA into one powerful, new engine. Athletes possess human-like intelligence for advanced decision-making, players have true athletic motion, and living worlds make the game experience as rich and dynamic as real-world stadiums. Pro Instincts — Players will make intelligent decisions with human-like reaction times, moving instinctively around the pitch like world class footballers. Players will anticipate moves to seal off opponents and intercept passes, skip over tackles and out-stretched legs to avoid collisions, and slow opponents by hooking or holding an arm. Precision Movement — With 10 times more animation depth and detail, EA SPORTS IGNITE delivers the dynamic movements and biomechanics of the world’s best footballers. Every step counts as players now plant, pivot and cut, change direction and shift their momentum with the agility and explosiveness of elite athletes. Player acceleration and deceleration is more realistic with a game-changing effect on gameplay. Players feel more grounded, agile and explosive, and manage their momentum with distinct foot plants and push-offs. Elite Technique — Harnessing the power and memory of the new consoles, FIFA 14 delivers hundreds of never-before-seen new skills and behaviours. Players have an arsenal of new shot types such as side volleys, defections, power chips and first time screamers, and new passes such as touch, over-head, slice and lobs. New behaviours include trapping the ball in stride at pace, panic turns when defenders are beaten, off-balance shots, missed shot reactions, and more. Living Worlds — The world inside the stadium feels alive and stunning 3D crowds and dynamic sidelines impact the experience. Players are also aware of the match and what needs to be done to get a result—their sense of urgency increases as the match draws on, and if a goal is needed, they rush to take a throw-in or corner if time is running down. Pure Shot — Players have the intelligence to adjust their stride and approach angle to find the best position for hitting the back of the net. Well-hit balls feel satisfying and goals are rewarding. As well as quality strikes, players can now shoot while off balance or rushed. Real Ball Physics — Strike the ball with more force and finesse. Realistic ball physics now determines the trajectories of balls in game, enabling players to strike the ball with force from distance, drill low rising shots with accuracy, and blast dipping or swerving shots, just like real footballers. Protect The Ball — Dominate midfield and dictate the tempo. Fend-off and block defenders from the ball while dribbling at any speed. Protect the ball from opponents to control play through midfield and dictate the pace of the match. Plus, out-muscle opponents for position before receiving the ball, then turn defenders to carve out opportunities. Teammate Intelligence — Better decision-making delivers tighter, smarter marking and improved run tracking. Defenders recognize opportunities to provide support and win back possession. Attacking players have new ways to outsmart their opponents by creating space for themselves, running along the backline and checking their pace. Sprint Dribble Turns — Utilize quick, explosive cuts and turns to beat defenders one-on-one while sprinting with the ball. Players can move in any direction, preserving their natural momentum and maintaining possession of the ball. Variable Dribble Touches — The First Touch Control of dribbling varies a player’s touch when dribbling with pace. Skilled players stand out while less skilled players will experience fewer perfect touches and more uncertainty dribbling. Skill Games – A competitive practice mode to learn or master the fundamental skills necessary to compete at FIFA 14. Become a better player, faster, no matter what your skill level, competing against yourself or friends in all-new mini-games. Career Mode — Search for talent year-round with the new Global Transfer Network that brings the world of professional scouting to life. Develop and refine your own scouting network. Evaluate footballers to uncover the attributes of players who could bolster your squad during the transfer windows. A new hub delivers easy navigation, fewer interruptions and live scouting reports. Complete Authenticity — 500 officially licensed clubs, over 30 leagues and more than 15,000 players.