Category Uncategorized

Mike Kasprowicz has won the inaugural Byron Denning Award for the Glamorgan Clubman of theYear.This new award, in memory of Glamorgan`s popular and long-serving scorer who died last winter,was presented at the club`s annual Awards luncheon in Cardiff this afternoon. The awardwas decided upon by each member of the Glamorgan squad voting for the person, who in theirown opinion, had made the greatest contribution off the field, in the dressing room, and in dealingwith sponsors and supporters.`Kasper` has already flown back to Australia, where he is soon to be in action for Queensland, so in his absencethe award was handed over by Mrs. Olwen Denning to Roger Skyrme, the Glamorgan dressing roomattendant and one of the key people behind the scenes in the Glamorgan pavilion.

علّق جوردان هندرسون لاعب فريق ليفربول على تحقيقهم كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي على حساب تشيلسي، مساء اليوم.

واستضاف ملعب ويمبلي مباراة الفريقين في نهائي كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي، حيث فاز ليفربول بركلات الترجيح بنتيجة 6-5.

وقال هندرسون في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية: “نحن هنا لتحقيق الألقاب، نعمل بجد طوال الموسم، المجيء إلى هنا وتحقيق الكأس يعني الكثير للجميع، الجماهير تستحق ذلك، النادي بأكمله”.

وأضاف: “إنها لحظة مهمة بالنسبة لنا، لم نلعب هذا النهائي منذ بعض الوقت، لذا كان الفوز باللقب أمرًا مميزًا”.

وواصل: “كان الأمر صعبًا، كنا نعلم أنه سيكون كذلك، لعبنا العديد من المباريات في فترة زمنية قصيرة، كانت ضربة كبيرة مع إصابة محمد صلاح اليوم، وفابينيو الأسبوع الماضي، ولكن هذا كل ما نتحدث عنه، الموقف والعقلية لمواصلة التقدم والتعمق عندما يكون الأمر صعبًا”.

وأردف: “لذا فإن الفوز بها بركلات الترجيح أمر لا يصدق، كل الفضل للأولاد، علينا فقط تقديم كل ما نفعله دائمًا، علينا العمل لبعضنا البعض واللعب مع اللاعبين الذين لدينا”.

واستكمل: “إنه أمر لا يصدق بعض المواهب التي نمتلكها في غرفة الملابس والشخصيات، نحن معًا وحققنا البطولات سويًا”.

وتابع: “فزنا ببطولتين حتى الآن هذا الموسم، لا يزال أمامنا بعض المباريات الكبيرة، نحتاج فقط إلى الاستمرار في التقدم حتى النهاية ومعرفة ما يمكننا الانتهاء منه”.

وأكد: “يجب أن نتعافى بسرعة، لدينا مباراة كبيرة أخرى يوم الثلاثاء ضد ساوثهامبتون، يجب أن نكون مستعدين لذلك، ثم بعد ذلك في نهاية الأسبوع لدينا آخر مباراة في الدوري أمام ولفرهامبتون ثم نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا”.

واختتم: “يتبقى لدينا 3 مباريات كبيرة ونأمل أن نتمكن من الفوز بجميع المباريات الثلاث وإنهاء الموسم بأعلى مستوى”.

Graham Roberts insists Rangers will want to win either the double or the treble in 2021/22 after lifting the Scottish Premiership trophy last season.

Steven Gerrard’s side were in unbelievable form throughout the campaign and won the title at a canter, ending the season a staggering 25 points clear of second-placed Celtic.

However, Rangers somewhat struggled in the cup competitions.

Indeed, they were knocked out of the Scottish League Cup by St Mirren, while they also lost in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals by St Johnstone on penalties.

In the Europa League, Rangers were beaten 3-1 on aggregate by Slavia Prague in the Round of 16.

They were irrepressible in the league, however, but Roberts believes that Gerrard will be targeting cup glory along with winning the league next season, to prove last season was no flash in the pan.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, he made the claim that the club will do everything they can to strengthen Gerrard’s squad, and he said: “A big target. You win one, you want to go and win the second one now, and I would think the next thing will be to do the double or the treble so you’ve got to get a big enough squad, and I’m sure they will.”

BRISBANE, June 25 AAP – New Zealand Cricket is keen to play a one-day tournament against three Australian states in Cairns in August.The Cairns Cricket Association is believed to have earmarked Queensland, New South Wales and Tasmania as the most likely opponents for the Black Caps during the warm tropical winter.But the future of the tournament remains uncertain despite the interest of New Zealand officials seeking a warm-up for September’s International Cricket Council Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka.”We are evaluating it at the moment but it is likely New Zealand will take part,” NZC operations manager John Reid told cricinfo.com.”We wanted some sort of build-up because our team would have been going there (to Sri Lanka) after having at least two months of a New Zealand winter.“Temperatures at the time of the Champions Trophy are expected to be between 30-40 degrees celsius.”Queensland Cricket chief executive Graham Dixon said he was aware of the concept but the Australian Cricket Board had to approve any Australian tournament featuring an international team.The ACB has more pressing issues, trying to sort out the future of Australia’s proposed tour to Pakistan in late August.”There is uncertainty as to whether (the Cairns tournament) can go ahead based on the fact that it must first have ACB approval,” Dixon said.”The ACB are aware of it, we’re aware of it but there is still uncertainty.”It is believed issues such as player payments would need to be discussed before any tournament is approved.New Zealand will be among the leading contenders for the Champions Trophy after winning its predecessor, the ICC Knockout Trophy, in Nairobi in 2000.

Paddy Kenny has urged Glasgow Rangers to sell Alfredo Morelos this summer as speculation increases regarding his future at the club.

The Lowdown: Morelos linked with Porto

Already during this transfer window, Morelos has been heavily linked with a move to Porto whilst away on international duty with Colombia at the Copa America.

It has even been reported that he has already agreed terms with the Portuguese outfit (Antena1), but there has not yet been any official confirmation.

The Latest: Kenny urges Gers to sell

Speaking to Football Insider, Kenny has urged the club to sell the 25-year-old this summer. He said:

“If he’s pushing for a move, I can’t imagine Steven Gerrard would want something like that lingering over the club.

“They’ll want to get the squad settled, have a good pre-season and try and retain that title.

“You may as well cut your losses, get him sold and move on. Go and get someone who wants to be there, who’s gonna play well, score goals and help you towards that title.

“That way, you can go and organise your side for next season too.”

The Verdict: One more year

Morelos has always appeared to be using Rangers as a stepping stone, albeit while showing an immense pride and passion for the club on the pitch.

He previously said he wanted to play in a more competitive league (Goal.com), while he also more recently admitted he dreams of playing in the Premier League (Radio Caracol).

That being said, he has been a fantastic servant for the Gers, scoring 94 goals and providing 43 assists in 182 games for the club.

The carrot of Champions League football may be too much for him to ignore, though. Porto have also qualified for Europe’s premier club competition, of course, but Morelos has gone through a lot to put the 55-time Scottish champions in a position to do the same. He may well wait to find out whether the Gers reach the same stage and, if they do, he could wait until next year to depart.

In other news, Rangers are set to get a 40% discount on this 21-year-old.

Chris Drum’s surprise retirement, the elevation of Robbie Hart to the Test wicket-keeping role and the dropping of Otago’s Brendon McCullum, are the features of New Zealand teams named today for the tours of Sharjah and Pakistan.Drum has told New Zealand Cricket that the third Test will be the end of his international career as he wishes to pursue other interests.Hart, 27, has been the favoured option to replace Adam Parore and has duly won his place. Chris Nevin has retained his place as the one-day wicket-keeper.The one-day side also includes Jacob Oram, who has returned from a stress fracture in his foot while Auckland leg-spinner Brooke Walker has been selected in Daniel Vettori’s absence.Selection committee chairman Sir Richard Hadlee said Vettori was being rested as part of the pro-active management of his back injury and it had been targeted some time ago as being necessary at the end of the England series.He has been included in the Pakistan Test tour side, but subject to fitness.Walker has leap-frogged ahead of Glen Sulzberger who was on the Test leg of the Australian tour earlier in the summer. Walker has also been included on the Test leg.”The selection of Walker reflects the need to develop another spin bowling option and is reward for the 28 wickets he has taken in State domestic cricket this summer,” he said.The rehabilitation of left-arm spinner Matthew Hart, who last played for New Zealand at the 1999 World Cup, has been confirmed with his placing on standby for the Sharjah tour.His brother Robbie would get a chance to make the Test position his own on the tour.”Robbie Hart has been a reliable tradesman with the gloves over the last few years and has been in good form with the bat for the State Northern Districts Knights this summer,” he said.Hadlee added, “Now that Jacob has fully recovered from his foot injury, we feel the time is right to reintroduce him to the international arena to help us assess his progress with a view to the World Cup.”A surprise in the Sharjah selection is the naming of Matt Horne in the one-day side. Despite his dropping from the third Test team Hadlee said, “We still think Matt has something to offer in both forms of the game and his selection is also part of our desire to get some continuity at the top of the order.”Horne has clearly gained McCullum’s place in the side.The team for Sharjah and the Pakistan One-Day Internationals is:Stephen Fleming (captain), Andre Adams, Nathan Astle, Ian Butler, James Franklin, Chris Harris, Matt Horne, Craig McMillan, Chris Nevin, Jacob Oram, Scott Styris, Daryl Tuffey, Lou Vincent, Brooke Walker.Players on standby are: Mathew Sinclair, Matthew Hart and Glen Sulzberger.The team for the Pakistan Tests is: Stephen Fleming (captain), Andre Adams, Nathan Astle, Ian Butler, Chris Harris, Robbie Hart, Matt Horne, Chris Martin, Craig McMillan, Mark Richardson, Daryl Tuffey, Daniel Vettori (subject to fitness), Lou Vincent, Brooke Walker.Players on standby are: Mathew Sinclair, Lance Hamilton, James Franklin and Glen Sulzberger.

Mohali has been a lucky ground for the Indians as they have had a good win record at this ground. Sourav’s luck with the toss carried into the second one-dayer; he elected to bat on a wicket that offers runs in plenty. Zimbabwe had to field on a wicket that is one of the few in India that favours pace.Openers Dinesh Mongia and Sourav Ganguly got off to the start that was just what the doctor ordered. Despite a few uneasy moments against the pace of Heath Streak, the pair went on to pile up the runs in an aggressive fashion. Together they added a quick-fire 109 for the opening partnership, a good base to build a big total. Dinesh Mongia showed that he had the right match temperament with a 52-ball, 45 run innings! Laxman joined his captain to add to the run blitz, but it was Ganguly who looked really hungry for runs, smashing as many as eight boundaries and three hits that were skied which got him to a racy 86 off 83 balls. India lost her captain with the score on 188.Rahul Dravid walked out on to the Mohali pitch and faced the Zimbabwean bowling attack. Laxman was playing the cautious role. The flow of runs had decreased slightly but Dravid had a point to prove that he was not that `slow defensive batsman’ people make him out to be. He went into attack mode and found the fence with immaculate timing. Laxman gave him sensible support at the other end before he fell after scoring a half-century, leaving India 243 for three. This pair had added 55 runs for the third wicket.Dravid was joined by Mohammad Kaif, but this partnership did not last long, as India were now just piling on the runs, and Kaif made an exit, making way for the local hero Harbhajan Singh played a spicy knock of 15. Dravid carried on batting in a fashion that was diametrically opposite to the image he has, of being slow. Trying innovative shots, he sped his way to 66 off only 59 balls, giving India a really commanding total of 319 for six.The visitors had one over docked for the slow over rate, and were therefore required to get 320 runs in 49 overs. Always a mammoth task, the start was not at all appropriate as Dion Ebrahim departed early with the score on 4. Alistiar Campbell was joined by Travis Friend in a new role as pinch-hitter.The positive attitude of the two batsmen came to the fore as they went about the task of accumulating runs. Campbell’s experience gelled well with the young blood of Friend. And together they consolidated the partnership and India were left searching for answers. A record partnership of 134 runs for the second wicket emerged, before Travis Friend was dismissed for 64 off 60 balls; he had played his role to a T.Andy Flower joined Campbell and one felt that another solid partnership here would be crucial and perhaps make things difficult for India. But Campbell was soon on his way back to the pavilion after scoring 62 runs for his country. The visitors were 143 for three.With the two Flower bothers at the crease, Zimbabwe could be hopeful of getting on with the task at hand. Unfortunately, the normally good understanding between the two brothers was missing and a run-out caused Grant Flower to head back to the pavilion. Andy showed his frustration, but the show had to go on and he had to play a big part.Captain Carlisle and Andy Flower were at the crease to try to save the day for Zimbabwe. The target loomed large and all the prize wickets were in India’s bag. 38 runs were added for the fifth wicket before Andy Flower chopped a ball onto his stumps for 29.The Zimbabwean batsmen could not deliver the goods and with the departure of Carlisle and the score 212 for six, the result was pretty certain. Of course one can never say in cricket and especially one-day cricket.This time around, the tail failed to wag, and the visitors were bundled out for 255. India won convincingly by 64 runs and the love affair with the Mohali ground continues. Captain Ganguly, Dinesh Mongia, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Harbhajan Singh contributed largely to the win that would raise the morale of the team as they go to Kochi for the third one-dayer.The Zimbabweans need to rework a few things before they write a fresh page at the next venue. With the series level, the two teams can be rest assured that quality cricket is the need of the hour, to show one’s supremacy in the shorter version of the game.And when that fat lady sings, only then can one say with conviction that indeed this was the better one-day side of the two.

Before the conditions had the last say, Auckland brought Wellington’s supposed march to a massive first innings total to a grinding halt on the morning of the second day

Chris Rosie25-Mar-2002Before the conditions had the last say, Auckland brought Wellington’s supposed march to a massive first innings total to a grinding halt on the morning of the second day.In the face of accurate bowling from Gareth Shaw, Andre Adams and Tama Canning, the visitors added just 80 runs in the session for the loss of five wickets, the innings ending 15 minutes before lunch at 409.It did not initially look that way. Mark Jefferson and Luke Woodcock continued the partnership they had established the previous evening, adding 30 in the first nine overs as they boosted their combined effort to 73 and the Wellington total to 359/5.However, Shaw, who bowled just 11 overs on the first day, powered in for 13 on the trot and received just reward. Jefferson, who had looked uncomfortable at times against the young pace bowler, got a leg-side touch to the last ball of the morning’s ninth over and a diving Reece Young behind the stumps did the rest.It was the beginning of the end for Wellington. Young continued his involvement, his gloves completing the work as first Canning and then Shaw got the edges of Leighton Morgan and Andrew Penn respectively to leave Wellington 375 for eight. At the same score, Canning cleaned out an impressive looking Woodcock two runs short of a deserved half century.A stubborn 34-run last-wicket stand between Jeetan Patel (23) and Iain O’Brien (11 not out) inched Wellington closer to the sort of score that would offer them a realistic chance of securing a sufficient net average runs per wicket rate to sneak past Auckland for the title.However, at 409 Patel swept Brooke Walker to Tim McIntosh at backward square leg to end the innings, bringing out the calculators to establish a range of permutations under which Wellington could continue the Hodini acts that have marked their season.Shaw was impressive during the session, ending with two for 35 from 14 to go with his 11 overs for 34 the previous day. Canning also lifted his game from the first day, his two for 18 from eight overs in the morning giving him an innings return of two for 54 from 19. Walker took the other wicket to fall in the session, ending with two for 86 from 33.2.Five minutes before lunch, Auckland came out to bat, Wellington came out to field, the umpires came out to check their light meters and they all turned round and left the field, just beating the rain, which settled in for the rest of the day.Wellington will start the next with the immediate target being to remove Auckland within the follow-on mark of 259. Then the calculators will go into action in earnest.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, former Premier League midfielder Carlton Palmer believes Sam Allardyce could have got more out of this Everton squad than Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Both Allardyce and Ancelotti have had spells in the Goodison Park dugout, with the former being sacked by Everton back in 2018 and the latter recently leaving to return to Real Madrid.

During his short tenure at the club, Allardyce came under heavy criticism for his style of football, though he was still able to guide the Toffees to an eighth-placed finish.

It is two places higher than where Everton finished last season despite Ancelotti bringing in the likes of James Rodriguez, Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure, the last two for sizeable fees.

With similar resources, Palmer has suggested that Allardyce could have done a better job than the new Real Madrid manager.

“He finished eighth in the league with Everton only a few years ago and still got the sack because the fans weren’t happy with the brand of football,” the ex-Leeds United midfielder said.

“Ancelotti has finished there or thereabouts and look at the amount of money he spent. Now people might say the brand of football is better, but he spent a lot more money. Put Sam Allardyce with that same squad of players he’s got now, where would Sam finish?”

Given that he was able to steer Everton to eighth having found them in 13th after taking over, perhaps the former West Brom boss could have got the Merseyside club into Europe with a nice transfer budget like the one Ancelotti had.

Leeds United need to recruit a competitor for striker Patrick Bamford to ensure that he doesn’t start ‘resting on his laurels’.

That’s according to former Whites goalkeeper Nigel Martyn, who was speaking to Leeds United News.

The lowdown

Bamford enjoyed an excellent campaign as Leeds finished ninth in the Premier League. The Englishman was the joint-fourth highest scorer in the division with 17 goals, and he added a further seven assists, with only Harry Kane, Mohamed Salah and Bruno Fernandes outscoring the 27-year-old in the top flight in 2020/21.

Last summer, Leeds broke their transfer record to sign Rodrigo from Valencia. He can play as a striker but was predominantly used as an attacking midfielder by Marcelo Bielsa (Transfermarkt), the Spaniard scored seven Premier League goals in total as he averaged one every 183 minutes.

The latest

Martyn has said that, at the highest level, Bamford needs ‘to be put under pressure’ to extract the best performances out of him. He explained that new arrivals can further improve the attitude within the camp.

“You don’t want things to become stale, you need that competition,” the 54-year-old told Leeds United News.

“New people coming in creates competition, and it gives current players a lift and a reason to fight.

“He’s had a great season but the last thing you want is for him to be resting on his laurels.

“He needs to be put under pressure for his position, go and do it again – that is what being at the highest level is all about.”

The verdict

Seven goals was a decent return for Rodrigo in a season which was disrupted by injury, but he isn’t an out-and-out centre-forward.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Leeds recruit a second number nine, with Football Insider claiming that it’s one of the areas the Whites are targeting, although they will have to find someone capable of meeting Bielsa’s unique expectations.

More generally, they don’t need to worry too much about Bamford finding motivation, as his excellent numbers this season suggest that he may have been driven on by some critics who claimed that he wasn’t cut out for Premier League level.

In other news, David Norris has given his view on a Leeds player’s uncertain future.