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Rahul Dravid has said that creating a window for the Indian Premier League would allow the world’s best players to play Test cricket, thereby enlivening the longer format

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Aug-2012Rahul Dravid, the former India batsman, has said that creating a window for the Indian Premier League would not only let the world’s best players participate in the lucrative domestic Twenty20 tournament but, importantly, also allow them to play Test cricket, thereby enlivening the longer format.”The reality is the IPL is an important tournament and people do want to play it,” Dravid said on BBC’s at Lord’s during the third Test between England and South Africa. “And we are probably coming to a stage where maybe a time will come [when] there will need to be give-and-take – whether it is finding a window, or, whether making the tournament a little shorter.”Dravid was asked by the TMS host Jonathan Agnew whether the IPL, a tournament that lasts for close to two months, had played a big role in Kevin Pietersen falling out with the ECB and losing support from his teammates, which led to him missing the Lord’s Test. Dravid, who is in London to attend the MCC cricket committee meetings, was not sure if the IPL was the reason for the Pietersen debacle. He said a solution was necessary considering the IPL would continue to clash with the start of the England cricketing summer and Test cricket could not afford losing big names such as Pietersen and Chris Gayle.Pietersen had stirred a controversy in April when he said England were jealous of the IPL. A month later, he retired from limited-overs cricket, saying he wanted to focus only on Tests. That decision came on the heels of exhaustive discussions with the ECB, where Pietersen said he wanted to play only Test and Twenty20 cricket. But the ECB central contracts state that any player who makes himself unavailable for either format of limited-overs cricket is automatically ruled out of selection for both ODIs and T20s.”There are some positives with the IPL and you have to understand that if the top players in the world want to play it and people want to watch then there is got to be some thing good about it is as well,” Dravid said. “It does effect the England season particularly, and, especially since traditionally the English season has been the same for many, many years. So it is challenging that a little bit.”In time we are getting to that stage where all of us want the best players playing [Test cricket]. We all want Chris Gayle playing for West Indies whenever West Indies play a Test match. None of us want to see a situation today where a great player like Kevin misses out today for whatever reasons and I don’t want to get into that. But it is disappointing. The game is a loser when the top players don’t play Test cricket.”Dravid, who led Rajasthan Royals in the previous IPL, felt that for Test cricket to continue attracting fans and remain marketable, it was important that the best players were always available for selection. Leaving out the likes of Gayle and Pietersen, Dravid felt, would only drive the fans away.”I am not sure what the solution to it is exactly but I would love to be in a situation where the best players can play the IPL as well as represent their country in Test cricket. People like Chris Gayle and Kevin Pietersen are fantastic for Test cricket as they are for IPL and T20 cricket. And they have a short window in which to show us their talent. At the end of the day this is the game for the fans. The best players should represent their country – it is not only about the people who come to the ground. It is also for the young boys and girls who passionately follow their country in Test cricket. It is hard and disappointing when the best players don’t turn up to play for their country.”

أعلنت رابطة الأندية المحترفة المصرية، عن موعد مباراة الأهلي والمصري في دور الـ16 من بطولة كأس الرابطة.

وأسفرت قرعة كأس الرابطة في نسختها الثانية هذا الموسم عن مواجهة الأهلي لـ المصري في دور ثمن النهائي.

وستقام بطولة كأس الرابطة هذا الموسم بنظام خروج المغلوب وليس بنظام المجموعات كما في الموسم السابق.

طالع | طريق الأهلي من دور الـ16 حتى النهائي في كأس الرابطة المصرية 2023 موعد مباراة الأهلي والمصري في كأس رابطة الأندية المصرية

تقام المباراة يوم الإثنين الموافق 27 مارس على ملعب برج العرب في تمام الساعة 9:15 مساء.

يذكر أن فيوتشر هو صاحب أول لقب لبطولة كأس الرابطة في الموسم الماضي بعد الفوز على غزل المحلة في المباراة النهائية.

تعرض فريق ميتلاند الذي يضم بين صفوفه المحترف المصري إمام عاشور، للهزيمة أمام خصمه بروندبي، مساء اليوم، في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الدنماركي.

وتلاقى الفريقان في إطار منافسات الجولة التاسعة عشر من الدوري الدنماركي، اليوم الإثنين، حيث خسر ميتلاند بهدف دون رد. هدف فوز بروندبي أمام ميتلاند

وجاء هدف فوز بروندبي في الدقيقة 57 من عمر المباراة، عن طريق اللاعب أوهي أومويوانجو.

وشارك اللاعب المصري إمام عاشور في المباراة رفقة ميتلاند، في التشكيل الأساسي، وخاضها بأكملها. ملخص لمسات إمام عاشور أمام بروندبي

بتلك النتيجة، ارتفع رصيد بروندبي إلى 27 نقطة في المركز الخامس، بينما تجمد رصيد ميتلاند عند 26 نقطة في المركز السادس.

يستعد الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك لمواجهة المريخ السوداني، ضمن منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا، بعد الفوز على سموحة، اليوم الإثنين، في الدوري المصري الممتاز.

الزمالك يواجه المريخ، على ملعب شهداء بنينا في ليبيا، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثانية من دور المجموعات.

طالع أيضًا.. مجموعة الزمالك | تقارير: الترجي مُهدد بعقوبة قاسية من “كاف” بسبب مباراة المريخ

ويلعب الزمالك في المجموعة الرابعة رفقة المريخ وشباب بلوزداد الجزائري والترجي التونسي.

وكان الزمالك قد خسر في الجولة الأولى أمام شباب بلوزداد، وكذلك الأمر بالنسبة للمريخ أمام الترجي التونسي. موعد مباراة الزمالك القادمة بعد الفوز على سموحة بالدوري

الزمالك يواجه المريخ  يوم الجمعة المقبل في الثالثة عصرًا بتوقيت مصر، الرابعة بتوقيت السعودية.

England coach Andy Flower has made clear his opinion that autobiographies by current players are a bad idea after the publishing of excerpts from Graeme Swann’s new book

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Oct-2011

England coach Andy Flower has made clear his opinion that autobiographies by current players are a bad idea after the publishing of excerpts from Graeme Swann’s new book, , in the national press. The published sections included Swann’s claims that Kevin Pietersen was never the right man to captain England and does not command respect in the same way as the more reserved Andrew Strauss.Flower was comforted by Pietersen’s “mature handling” of the situation and insisted the players remain friends, but when asked whether he believes players should wait until professional retirement to air critiques of their team-mates, he said: “That’s my personal opinion, yes.”I personally don’t think that it’s a good idea for current players to be talking about their fellow players. The written word does come across very, very differently – when you can’t judge a person’s tone. It’s all been handled in-house, without many problems. Pietersen and Swann get on well, and I think Pietersen has handled it very maturely.”Pietersen was named England captain in August 2008, but his tenure lasted just five months after a much-publicised spat with then-coach Peter Moores. Strauss then took up the role and under his leadership England have been crowned the world’s No. 1 Test team.Pietersen’s tenure included a 0-5 one-day series loss in India in 2008, which included his last ODI hundred – an unbeaten 111 in a six-wicket loss in Cuttack. Pietersen was stripped of the captaincy not long afterwards, and since then has averaged just 22.74 in one-day cricket.He has rediscovered consistent form in Test and Twenty20 cricket, however, and Flower backed the batsman to make a telling contribution in the remaining four matches of England’s series against India. “He is actually in very good form,” Flower said. “His form in other formats during the last English summer was outstanding. He should be able to get runs out here, and I expect him to.”Flower conceded that England had been outplayed by India in the 126-run loss on Friday, but argued that his team had the skills and character to fight back and turn the series around.”This group of England cricketers has shown they are of strong character, and I expect us to bounce back. We were outplayed by the Indians on this occasion. They out-fielded us – something that doesn’t often happen to us – and we didn’t deserve to win the game. But one down in a five-match series, we’re going to look to do something about that in Delhi.”Our problem was that we weren’t able to manipulate the spinners as well as they did in the middle overs – a catalyst for a number of wickets in that period. There were various aspects of the game that were good – [Alastair] Cook played nicely, again went at a run-a-ball. But in the main, we under-performed.”

A five star performance from Chaminda Vaas gave Northamptonshire the upper handin the County Championship match against Derbyshire at Chesterfield

18-Aug-2011
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A five star performance from Chaminda Vaas gave Northamptonshire the upper handin the County Championship match against Derbyshire at Chesterfield.The former Sri Lankan Test star bagged his sixth five-wicket Championship haulof the season to bowl Derbyshire out for 190 and earn his side a lead of 77. Alex Wakely and David Sales then made half-centuries as the Division Two leaders ended day two on 285 for 6, 362 runs in front.The match had been in the balance at the start of the day with Derbyshire 151runs behind with six wickets intact but Northants struck three times in thefirst seven overs to seize the initiative.Lee Daggett set the tone with a brilliant diving return catch to removenightwatchman Tony Palladino for 16 before Vaas showed his international classwith a quality spell of swing bowling from the Pavilion End.Dan Redfern advanced to 21 before he played on and the last ball of that overkept low to bowl Ross Whiteley for a duck. Daggett tempted Jon Clare to play at a widish ball which ended in the hands of second slip and the innings ended when Luke Sutton was caught behind sparring at Vaas who then knocked out Mark Footitt’s off stump.His figures of 5 for 65, which took his championship tally to 57, were hissecond five-wicket return in three innings and put his team in a good position. But Derbyshire hit back before lunch when Niall O’Brien was lbw playing across the line at Tim Groenewald.Derbyshire needed a big afternoon session to get back in the game and Footittraised their hopes by striking twice in successive overs. He had Kyle Coetzer taken low at second slip and then got some lift to have Stephen Peters caught behind for 32.When Rob Newton slapped Clare to cover, Northants were 91 for four, still only168 ahead, but Wakely and Sales turned the game with a century stand. Wakely had played soundly for 88 in the first innings and he again showed composure and good shot selection to pick off the bowling while Sales finally hit form with his first Championship fifty of the season.Derbyshire’s bowling lost discipline as the pair scored at five an over andthey had put on 122 when Sales slashed at Groenewald and was caught behind for65.Wakely was denied a deserved century when he was lbw for 83 to a ball that keptlow from Palladino but Andrew Hall and Tony Middlebrook made sure Northantsclosed in a commanding position by adding 60 in 20 overs.

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Visiting seamer Ian Saxelby claimed career-best figures of 5 for 53 as 15wickets fell on the opening day at Cardiff.The 21-year-old helped to reduce Glamorgan to 202 all out in 47.5 overs andGloucestershire themselves struggled to 76 for 5 before bad light stoppedplay for the day.Despite winning the toss, Glamorgan had been 26 for 4 and 54 for 6 butthey were rescued by a seventh-wicket partnership of 138 from Ben Wright, whomade 83 on the day he was awarded his county cap, and Graham Wagg (58).They made a terrible start against the new ball as they lost Gareth Rees toonly the second ball of the game, lbw to Jon Lewis. And six overs later, despite striking three boundaries, Will Bragg fell in similar fashion. Glamorgan further capitulated to 20 for 3 when skipper Alviro Petersen was also trapped in front, this time by Liam Norwell in his first over.Mike Powell became the fourth lbw – the third for Lewis – playing down thewrong line. The flow of wickets was stemmed briefly by Jim Allenby, who struck a run-a-ball22 before he edged Saxelby to Ian Cockbain at second slip.Wright was dropped was dropped by Saxelby off Norwood’s bowling, but Saxelbymade amends in the next over when he had Mark Wallace caught by Cockbain atsecond slip. Either side of lunch, Wright and Wagg launched a more than profitable recoveryin 22 overs.The pair took Glamorgan to 192 for six before Saxelby dismissed both in thespace of two overs. Wright went for 83 from 98 balls with 14 fours after beingbowled attempting a pull, while Wagg was bowled via an inside edge.Saxelby completed his first five-wicket haul by having Dean Cosker caughtbehind as the last three Glamorgan wickets added just 10 runs. In reply, Gloucestershire were reduced to 49 for four despite Glamorgan losing Wagg to a hamstring injury after only one over.His replacement Adam Shantry had Richard Coughtrie caught behind by MarkWallace before Harris claimed his first wicket of the season when he bowledCockbain for 21.From 29 for 2, the visitors were further reduced to 37 for 3 as ChrisTaylor was trapped lbw failing to offer a shot to Harris. After tea Shantry took his second wicket, Jon Batty pinned leg before, and then Allenby dismissed Alex Gidman.

Paul Sheldon has announced that he is stepping down as Surrey chief executive at the end of March after 15 years in the position. During that time he has overseen the club’s rise to become the most financially successful county, although that has coincided with a long-term slump in form on the field.Surrey’s strong financial footing has come from a number of schemes which included selling the naming rights to the ground and the construction of the OCS stand at the Vauxhall End of the ground. The club also benefits from a long-term staging agreement with the ECB and in 2005 and 2009 hosted deciding Ashes Tests.It has allowed the county to spend large sums on attracting big-name players to The Oval including Steven Davies and Chris Tremlett. However, there has been no swift upturn in results with the club still stuck in the second division of the County Championship but Sheldon has many positive memories.”I have stood down because I believe I have taken the club as far as I can, and that now is the right time to hand over the reins,” Sheldon said. “I am very proud of what we have achieved at the club over the last fifteen years. Most especially, I remember the winning era of the great Adam Hollioake side; the building of the iconic OCS Stand and the historic Ashes winning years of 2005 and 2009.”It has been a privilege to have served as chief executive of one of the greatest cricket clubs in the world and to have worked with so many talented people both inside and outside the club. Many of them have become good friends along the way.”Richard Thompson, the Surrey chairman, said: “Paul’s service to the Club, from running our 150th celebrations in 1995, to then becoming our chief executive shortly afterwards has been outstanding. Both on and off the field, Paul leaves a tremendous legacy and many enduring friendships. Paul will always be part of the Surrey family.”

Bill Gordon has passed the mantle of head groundsman at The Oval on to Scott Patterson

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Jan-2011Bill Gordon has passed the mantle of head groundsman at The Oval on to Scott Patterson. Patterson, 31, has been on Surrey’s staff since 2007 after gaining previous experience at Shenley CC, Horsham CC, Arsenal FC and Merchant Taylor’s School.”It is a great honour to become Head Groundsman at such an incredible ground as the Kia Oval and I am very much looking forward to continuing to prepare for the new season,” said Patterson. “I would also like to take this chance to thank Bill Gordon for teaching me so well over the last four seasons. He is one of the top groundsmen in the world today and learning from him has been an amazing experience.”A widely respected groundsman, Gordon won the ECB’s Groundsman of the Year award for six years running after taking over from Paul Brind in July 2003. Always favouring dry wickets that produced an even battle between bat and ball, Gordon produced the raging turner for the deciding Ashes clash in 2009 and played a major part in England reclaiming the urn.”This is a fantastic opportunity for Scott and I look forward to seeing him lead our ground staff over coming seasons,” added chief executive Paul Sheldon. “Bill Gordon has been a fantastic servant of the Club for many years and I am delighted that he will continue to work with Scott.”Gordon has been part of Surrey’s groundstaff since 1974 and will continue his association with the county to offer specialist support to Patterson in all areas.

It’s fair to say that Everton have had a horrendous season in the Premier League, with genuine fears that the Toffees could be playing in the Championship next term amid their presence in the relegation zone.

A campaign which started off with so much hope has spiralled into chaos, and only performances of the highest order will be enough to save their skin now.

Lampard hasn’t exactly been helped by the performances of some of his players, with a not-so-special mention going to Brazilian midfielder Allan, who has been poor all season.

Time to axe Allan

The 31-year-old has featured in 30 matches for Everton this term, contributing a measly three assists while receiving seven yellow cards. Add into this an average SofaScore rating of 6.64 and only 46% of his total duels won all season, and it’s clear to see Lampard must axe the “clumsy” Brazilian, as Garry Birtles called him.

Looking at SofaScore’s ratings, the midfielder comes in at a lowly 18th in the Toffees’ squad for overall performance, not exactly a glowing endorsement of what he has produced on the pitch over the past nine months.

With Allan’s market value currently sitting at £16.2m, the quicker Everton axe him the better. Lampard might not get that much for the player with his contract expiring at the end of next season, but any fee is better than none.

There are better options in the squad to utilise, such as Jean-Philippe Gbamin, who is out on loan at CSKA Moscow until the end of the season. The 26-year-old has registered one goal and three assists in all competitions this season between his current club and Everton whilst playing 14 fewer games, proving his effectiveness compared to Allan.

Lampard faces a crunch time at the end of the season if he keeps Everton in the top flight and there needs to be a clearout of some deadwood, with the £120k-p/w Brazilian arguably at the top of the list.

The Everton faithful face an anxious final few weeks of the campaign and Lampard needs to play the men that he thinks can bring the necessary fight to avoid relegation. Allan’s performances this term suggest that he isn’t an ideal candidate; frankly, he has bled the club dry having been so ineffective, and it’s time that the manager wields the axe on him, starting from the clash against Leicester on Sunday.

AND in other news, Everton given green light to sign “undefendable” £50m gem, it’s bye-bye Richarlison