All posts by h716a5.icu

Michael Hussey is one of cricket’s finest finishers, so it was only fitting that he ended his international career by steering Australia to victory and a series clean-sweep over Sri Lanka

The Report by Brydon Coverdale06-Jan-2013
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Michael Hussey was warmly welcomed by the Sydney crowd•Getty ImagesMichael Hussey is one of cricket’s finest finishers, so it was only fitting that he ended his international career by steering Australia to victory and a series clean-sweep over Sri Lanka. Despite the best efforts of his partner Mitchell Johnson to dead-bat the ball with one run needed, Hussey was not able to hit the winning run, instead sprinting through for a single as the ball ran off Johnson’s thick edge and away to point off Rangana Herath.To Hussey, it barely mattered. The win – the 48th of his Test career – was what meant everything. And in a small chase of 141, he had done an important job of guiding Australia through some late jitters to complete a five-wicket victory. He finished unbeaten on 27 and ended his Test career with 6235 runs at an average of 51.52. He walked off to lead Australia in the team song one last time before he hands the job over to Nathan Lyon.Of course, the win was not all about Hussey. Ed Cowan, Phillip Hughes and Michael Clarke all played important parts in edging Australia closer to their goal. For the second time since Clarke took over the captaincy Australia completed a clean-sweep of an opponent – the first was last summer against India – and it was a positive end to a summer that began with two draws and a loss to South Africa.Smart stats

Australia’s five-wicket win is their 17th in 26 Tests against Sri Lanka. It’s the third time they’ve blanked Sri Lanka 3-0 in a series.

Australia’s win-loss record of 17-1 in Tests against Sri Lanka is the most lopsided between any two sides, excluding matches involving Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.

In their last ten Tests in Sydney, Australia have won nine.

Dinesh Chandimal’s unbeaten 62 is his fourth half-century in ten Test innings. His 62 is also the fourth-highest Test score by a Sri Lankan No.7 batsman against Australia.

Rangana Herath finished with match figures of 7 for 141, only the fourth instance of a Sri Lankan bowler taking seven or more wickets in a Test in Australia. His series haul of 12 is the joint-highest for a Sri Lankan in Australia.

As the target was reduced with every gap pierced by Cowan and Clarke, the crowd at the SCG experienced the unusual feeling of wanting to see an Australian wicket fall. Hussey has been a favourite of the Australian fans over his seven years in the Test team and his absence from the one-day international squad announced earlier in the day meant this was certain to be his final match for Australia.With 37 runs still required, the moment arrived. Clarke prodded forward to Tillakaratne Dilshan’s offspin and lobbed a catch to short leg, and his home crowd cheered. This was no insult to Clarke, but a recognition of everything Hussey has done for Australia since his Test debut at the age of 30, and for one last time his team needed him. He walked to the crease to a standing ovation and settled down to business.After a nervous leading edge first ball, he was off the mark from his second delivery with a cover-drive for two, and even managed to get a reverse-swept boundary in there as well. The small chase of 141 could have been tricky on a fourth-day SCG pitch, especially when Australia lost David Warner in the second over for a golden duck when he edged to Mahela Jayawardene at slip off the bowling of Suranga Lakmal.But his opening partner Cowan set himself to guide Australia as close to their goal as possible and although he was in no hurry, he anchored two very important partnerships, a 45-run stand with Hughes and then a 59-run effort with Clarke. Hughes played some impressive strokes in his 34 from 49 balls but was flummoxed by Herath. When Herath trapped Hughes lbw it was a much-deserved wicket, even though the Sri Lankans had called for a review mostly to check on a bat-pad catch.At 2 for 45, Australia were not yet out of the woods, especially given their decision to play five bowlers in this Test. But Cowan did not lose his cool and gradually eked out the runs, while Clarke was a little more fluent. Their partnership was the one that took Australia from a slight danger zone to a position of comfort and after Clarke fell, Cowan was bitterly disappointed to follow him and miss out on the chance to see the chase home, trapped lbw on 36 by Herath coming around the wicket.Matthew Wade also lost his wicket when he was bowled attempting a sweep off Herath for 8, but by then Australia needed only another nine runs. The Sri Lankans, who have never won a Test in Australia, were left to wonder what could have been had they just scratched out another 50 runs in their second innings. Truth be told, they had done well to make a game of it after losing a string of wickets on the third afternoon.Dinesh Chandimal finished unbeaten on 62 and the 41-run stand he put on with Nuwan Pradeep for the final wicket was critical in giving Sri Lanka’s bowlers something to defend. Pradeep was dismissed nearly half an hour before lunch for 9, with Sri Lanka’s total on 278, and it left Australia’s openers a short period to bat before the break which Warner didn’t survive.Every run was important for Sri Lanka as they resumed the morning at 7 for 225. Only ten runs had been added when Herath played on to Jackson Bird while attempting to leave the ball alone, and when Lakmal was bowled for a duck trying a hefty swipe off Johnson it appeared that the innings could be over quickly. But Pradeep offered impressive support for Chandimal, who farmed the strike effectively.Chandimal immediately lifted his tempo and struck three boundaries off a Bird over and soon had his half-century from 75 balls with another boundary whipped through midwicket off Bird. Pradeep got in on the act with four down the ground but next ball was caught behind off Bird as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 274.It left Australia needing 141, the kind of target that has proven difficult at times in past years. It’s also the sort of target that meant Australia needed not only their openers, but their No.5 as well. And Mr Cricket delivered.

A number of Wolves supporters have reacted negatively to a transfer rumour linking the club with a move for Fenerbahce forward Enner Valencia.

The 32-year-old is known to fans of the Premier League, having had spells at West Ham and Everton in the past, but he was not a prolific player in England, netting just 11 times in 75 top-flight appearances.

Valencia is now plying his trade at Fenerbahce, where he has scored two goals in 10 Turkish Super Lig appearances this season, as well as twice in three Europa League games.

According to CNN Turkey [via Talking Wolves on Twitter], Wolves are keen on completing a move for the Ecuadorian, potentially bringing him to the Midlands in the January transfer window.

However, at 32 Valencia doesn’t represent the future, and he may not be a player who excites Wolves fans too much given his far from stellar Premier League record.

Wolves fans bemoan Valencia rumour

That certainly appears to be the case on Twitter, with these supporters providing their thoughts on the club’s links with a player who one fan dismissed as a ‘West Ham reject’.

“Oh crikey”

Credit: @wwfcscott

“Please no”

Credit: @WolvesNumber37

“West Ham reject”

Credit: @SanghaArjan

“My word “

Credit: @fowls21wwfc

“Why?”

Credit: @SamJGollings

“I am comfortable in the knowledge this won’t happen thankfully”

Credit: @parker_bradley

In other news, Luke Hatfield has provided an update on one Wolves player. Find out who it is here.

Leeds United have been handed a timely injury boost ahead of their return to Premier League action this weekend…

What’s the latest?

According to Football Insider, left-back Junior Firpo has been given the all-clear to feature against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, handing Marcelo Bielsa a huge boost.

It’s thought that the 25-year-old, who signed for £12.8m from Barcelona in the summer, has fully recovered from muscle injury picked up on the training pitch and is now in contention to start in north London.

He has not featured for the senior side since early October – a 1-0 win over Watford – and has missed their last four league outings, as a result.

Major boost

This will be a major source of encouragement for the Argentine head coach, not least because he’s a huge admirer of the Brazilian.

“When Junior manages to have the rhythm the Premier League imposes on you, he’s going to be a full-back that shines a lot,” he told reporters at the end of September (via LeedsLive). “He has all the physical and technical resources to generate moments of very good football.”

Leeds were already light on options in the left-back role and in his absence, a host of players have had to deputies, the latest of which being towering central defensive colossus Pascal Struijk.

The 6 foot 3 Dutchman was deployed out wide against Leicester City as Stuart Dallas had to cover for Jamie Shackleton, who was also injured, on the other wing.

And even then, the 22-year-old academy graduate is filling in for vice-captain Luke Ayling, who has been on the treatment table since mid-September.

As you can see, Bielsa has had to deal with numerous injury problems, so he will certainly be delighted by the return of Firpo this weekend, even more so as Antonio Conte’s system utilises the wide areas to great effect.

The Yorkshiremen will appear a lot stronger in these positions with a natural full-back available.

Firpo’s return is certainly a major boost and Bielsa will be buzzing to have him back.

AND in other news, Leeds could have their own Virgil Van Dijk in teenage “leader”…

Giovanni van Bronckhorst officially started his reign as Rangers manager earlier this week and will now have the chance to run the rule over the first-team squad.

Not only will he be able to sit down and assess the options currently available to him in the team, he will also be able to check up on the players who are out on loan at other clubs to see whether or not they are worth bringing back to Ibrox in January.

Not good enough

One player who could make his way back to Glasgow in January for the wrong reasons is winger Glenn Middleton, who is currently out on loan at St Johnstone in the Premiership.

He has endured a difficult season on the pitch and has now suffered a blow off the field, with Saints boss Callum Davidson confirming that the forward will be out until Christmas. The 45-year-old said: “Glenn will be out for four to six weeks. Which will take us up to Christmas time.”

His injury could allow Van Bronckhorst to have a tough conversation with him at the training ground, presuming that he returns to Rangers to undergo his treatment. Middleton’s form has been poor in the Scottish top flight and the Dutchman must ruthlessly axe him from the squad and allow Ross Wilson to cash in on the youngster in January – recalling him from his loan to do so.

As per SofaScore, he has failed to produce a single goal or assist in 11 league matches this term. He has averaged a dismal 0.6 key passes per game despite playing in a forward role and has 0.5 shots on target per game, whilst losing possession 8.3 times from 19.2 touches per match.

Off the ball, he has been a lightweight. As per SofaScore, he has lost a whopping 76% of his duels on the pitch – on the ground and in the air. This shows that he has not been strong enough to hold his own in the physical side of the game, whilst also faltering in the final third when in possession.

Therefore, the £495k-rated dud is not good enough to make the breakthrough at Rangers any time soon on the evidence he has provided to date. Van Bronckhorst should ensure that he is sold in January whilst he still has potential as the club can maximise value for him, rather than allowing him to continue to play poorly and decrease his value to possible suitors.

AND in other news, Van Bronckhorst set for big behind-the-scenes Ibrox boost which should leave Rangers fans delighted…

South Africa is used to being the setting for memorable starts to world events, this event and this format can do with one

The Preview by Sidharth Monga21-Sep-2009Match factsTuesday, September 22, 2009
Start time 1430 (1230 GMT)Will Smith be any closer to that trophy in a fortnight’s time?•Getty ImagesBig pictureLack of choices can be a blessing in disguise. Hence we have potentially the best event organised by the ICC in a long while. Not entirely by design, though: there was no window for a longer tournament, there isn’t even a reserve day for the final. So there was no space for flab or Super Sixes or Eights or whatever. Although Bangladesh can argue they had a better case than West Indies, few could have envisaged the political turmoil in the Caribbean when the tournament was being drawn up. As a result the preliminary groups are neither meaningless cakewalks nor so fickle that one freak loss ends the tournament for a team. Throw in the fact that the top three teams are so close to each other, the No. 1 ranking is likely to change hands more often in this tournament than the baton in a relay race. So good on the ODIs, which could do with this shot in the arm.It helps that South Africa has been the setting for memorable starts to world events. In the first match of the 2003 World Cup, Brian Lara’s century helped West Indies beat South Africa by three runs in a tense finish. Four years later the ICC went to South Africa unsure if the World Twenty20 would be accepted by the audience. The same two teams, in 37.4 overs, hit all such trepidations out of the Wanderers. The possibility of an exact repeat has been ruled out by the draw, which pits Sri Lanka opening the tournament against the hosts, but a similar start is needed.Both players in the act on Tuesday run the risk of becoming perennial best men: both have been consistent limited-overs teams for large parts of last 15 years, but only two players in each team have tasted success in an ICC event (excluding the 2002 Champions Trophy, which they shared with India): Sanath Jayasuriya and Muttiah Muralitharan won the 1996 World Cup, and Mark Boucher and Jacques Kallis won the inaugural Champions Trophy in 1998.Since then South Africa have lost two World Cup semi-finals, one World Twenty20 semi-final, and three Champions Trophy semi-finals. Sri Lanka haven’t been that consistent, but they too have lost a World Cup final and semi-final each, a World Twenty20 final, and shared a Champions Trophy final.Not much has changed on that front: this is another best chance for South Africa to shrug off the chokers’ tag, and although Sri Lanka are not starting off as favourites it would be folly to underestimate them. So let the nearly men kick the nearly tournament off.Form guide (last five matches, most recent first)South Africa – LWWWL
Forget their record in big tournaments, this is indeed South Africa’s best chance in a big tournament. They are the most settled team among the eight, Australia are not what they used to be – their 6-1 win in England notwithstanding – and others generally have more issues to settle than the hosts. They last played an international match back in April. Will they be rested or rusty?Sri Lanka – LWWLL
A new-look team trying to bring together mavericks, team players and veterans makes for interesting following. Their No. 5 ranking in ODIs should not prompt other teams to let their guard down.Team newsSmith has confirmed Hashim Amla will open with him in Gibbs’ absence due to a rib injury that has ruled him out of the first match. It probably won’t hurt the middle order, which looks settled – only Albie Morkel and Mark Boucher could be needed earlier than usual. The most likely to sit out are Robin Peterson and Lonwabo Tsotsobe. Expect a toss-up between Roelof van der Merwe and Wayne Parnell for the final position.South Africa (probable) 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 Hashim Amla, 3 Jacques Kallis, 4 AB de Villiers, 5 JP Duminy, 6 Mark Boucher (wk), 7 Albie Morkel, 8 Roelof van der Merwe/Wayne Parnell, 9 Johan Botha, 10 Makhaya Ntini, 11 Dale Steyn.Murali should be fit to take the field now. After the tri-series final that Sri Lanka lost to India, Sangakkara had said Murali was fit but they didn’t want to risk him before the Champions Trophy. Whose place will he take if he plays is an interesting question. Unless it is a rank turner, Ajantha Mendis should be the man most likely to sit out.Sri Lanka (probable) 1 Sanath Jayasuriya, 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (capt/wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Thilina Kandamby, 6 Chamara Kapugedera, 7 Angelo Mathews, 8 Thilan Thushara, 9 Nuwan Kulasekara, 10 Muttiah Muralitharan, 11 Lasith Malinga.

Since 1998 South Africa have lost two World Cup semi-finals, one World Twenty20 semi-final, and three Champions Trophy semi-finals. Sri Lanka have lost a World Cup final and semi-final each, a World Twenty20 final, and shared a Champions Trophy final

Watch out for…Dale Steyn has stated what the world knows in its heart of hearts but is not so convinced about when it comes to big tournaments. “If the team play to their potential, and this might sound cocky, I really believe no side can match us at the Champions Trophy.” The world is waiting, Dale, for the “team to play to their potential”.Nuwan Kulasekara quietly became the No. 1 bowler in ODIs without many noticing, and has kept the ranking for some time now. Now he will be tested in the open and, if the conditions help swing, his accuracy, inswingers, and the odd one that goes straight could just confirm the ICC rankings.Graeme Smith has not shied from making statements for his team, and on the first day of the tournament, with regular co-opener Herschelle Gibbs out, his team needs the leader in the front.Kumar Sangakkara the captain has been conspicuous in trying to bring a hard edge to his skilled team, but Sangakkara the batsman last scored an ODI century in June 2008, against Bangladesh. Sri Lanka won’t mind a reconciliation of the two Sangakkaras.Stats and triviaSouth Africa have a 5-1 lead in matches against Sri Lanka in ICC events. They lost to Sri Lanka in the 1992 World Cup, and tied with them in 2003, but have won all other encounters.Murali, with 23 wickets, is the highest wicket-taker in Champions Trophy history.Sangakkara, with 22 catches and four stumpings, leads the dismissals table for wicketkeepers.Quotes”Our team has a lot of variety. We have got a left-armer, we have got pace, we have got allrounders and we have got spin. It is nice as a captain to have so many options.”
“A game’s a game and it doesn’t matter who the opposition is. But it’s nice, because we’ve come here as underdogs in this game and they [South Africa] have got a major tournament to start, to kick off in front of their fans and the pressure is really on them.”

Express and Star journalist Luke Hatfield doesn’t believe that Jayson Molumby will walk straight into the West Brom starting XI. 

The Baggies signed Molumby on a season-long loan deal from Brighton and Hove Albion during the summer transfer window.

The 22-year-old has plenty of Championship experience having played 51 times for Millwall and Preston North End combined and has scored one goal and provided two assists in the division.

Molumby played three first team matches for Brighton last season in both the Premier League and the Carabao Cup and Hatfield believes after his move to Albion, he is going to have to work hard for a starting birth in Valerien Ismael’s team.

Hatfield told Transfer Tavern: “He’s another player Ismael would have liked, I think. I don’t think he’ll walk straight into the starting XI, I think he’ll be a player that comes in and really competes with Jake Livermore and Alex Mowatt for them starting spaces in midfield.

“He offers plenty of hard-working abilities, he’s one of those players that might not be the flashiest in the world, but he certainly puts in a shift and that’s exactly what Ismael wants in those midfield roles.

“He doesn’t necessarily need them to produce goals and assists, I think he’s hoping his front three will do that. Molumy is one of those players who will run his socks off for the team and I think the fans will appreciate that as well.”

West Brom have had a brilliant start to life back in the Championship as they have accumulated 13 points from a possible 15 and currently sit second in the league table, only behind Fulham on goal difference.

Valerien Ismael and all connected with West Brom will be hoping to maintain this run of form and be in the promotion picture come May and make an immediate return to the Premier League.

On Thursday night, David Moyes handed yet another professional debut to one of West Ham’s promising youngsters – something which has been a recurring theme since he returned for a second stint at the club.

The Irons continued their impressive form in the Europa League with another win and clean sheet, taking them way clear at the top of Group H.

Genk threatened early on in the match but the tide turned just before the break when Craig Dawson nodded home from an Aaron Cresswell delivery. The left-back provided again in the second half, this time Issa Diop heading to the net, before Jarrod Bowen wrapped things up with a fine solo strike.

With the game more or less over by the hour mark, the Scotsman made changes to his starting XI, in which young academy gem Dan Chesters came on for his maiden senior appearance.

The 19-year-old midfielder came on for Manuel Lanzini in the 89th minute, joining a whole host of names to make their debut since Moyes’ comeback, including Harrison Ashby, Emmanuel Longelo, Jamal Baptiste, Nathan Trott, Oladapo Afolayan, Aji Alese, Mipo Odubeko and Jeremy Ngakia.

Chesters is an exciting attacking midfielder, who offers pace and creativity in the final third.

West Ham’s official website describe him as ‘a livewire attacking midfielder capable of opening up the tightest of defences’. He is also capable of playing as a no.8, no.10 or out wide.

His impressive form for the U18s earned quite a lofty comparison to one of the Premier League’s very best.

“He’s a bit similar to Jack Grealish, claimed ex-Hammers midfielder Jack Collison to The Athletic.

“He takes people on and he’s lovely on the ball; really nice to watch. He’s one of the most exciting kids to watch in terms of what he can do when the ball’s at his feet.”

Meanwhile, Moyes waxed lyrical about his potential after the game. He told reporters, via football.london: “He has speed, he has trained well with the first team last week, when we were in the international break and he’d been quite impressive.

“We were a little bit short of attacking players today so it gave us a chance to get a couple of young players on the bench. Dan has been doing well and when he came on he showed his endeavour to stop them a couple of times.”

Perhaps he could go on to become the next Joe Cole at the London Stadium. His versatility and skillset certainly provide clues into the two having plenty of similarities.

With the Irons still in every domestic cup competition, we should expect to see Chesters’ name on the teamsheet more often as Moyes looks to deal with a congested workload over the coming weeks and months.

The 58-year-old may have just discovered the club’s next Cole.

AND in other news, 97% pass accuracy, 89 touches: West Ham’s £60k-p/w “freak” stole the show against Genk…

The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards has revealed what PIF think of Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce amid speculation he is set to be sacked.

What’s the story?

Writing on Twitter, he said: “Contains details of Bruce talks on Monday, why new owners admire him and why he still hasn’t been sacked.”

Then, in a follow-up article for The Telegraph, Edwards added: “Steve Bruce has been praised by the new owners of Newcastle United for the way he has conducted himself throughout the 18-month takeover saga and thanked for helping to make it happen by keeping the club in the Premier League for the last two years.

“In a long conversation at the club’s training ground on Monday afternoon, Bruce is said to have been impressed with the way members of the consortium spoke to him and listened intently to their ambitions for the club.”

Time for a fresh start

If there is going to be one positive to take out from Bruce’s reign as manager at St James’ Park, is that he didn’t end up getting the side relegated.

The 60-year-old has fronted as Mike Ashley’s human shield since he took over from Rafa Benitez a few years ago, and while he’s done his best to try and steer the ship, he’s fallen well short of expectations.

Edwards’ claim that Bruce is admired by the club’s new owners for the way he has conducted himself over this past year does at least show that PIF are mindful of the kind of tough situation that the Magpies have been in.

Sacking Bruce after acknowledging his work at St James’ Park seems like an honourable step as they look to move forward into a new era and fresh start, and fans are sure to be intrigued about what could come next now.

Meanwhile, Newcastle could sign this former Premier League star for free…

Another day of delays and interruptions due to poor weather conditions allowed only 34.2 overs of play on the second day of the first unofficial Test between Sri Lanka A and Pakistan A at the Asgiriya Stadium in Kandy

Sa'adi Thawfeeq02-Jul-2009Sri Lanka A 101 for 4 v Pakistan A
Scorecard

Wet work in Kandy as rain plagues unofficial Test© CricInfo
Another day of delays and interruptions due to poor weather conditions allowed only 34.2 overs of play on the second day of the first unofficial Test between Sri Lanka A and Pakistan A at the Asgiriya Stadium in Kandy.Play did not get underway till 2.15pm, whereupon Sri Lanka A added 51 runs to their overnight 35 for 1, before suffering the all-too-familiar middle-order collapse. Within a matter of 14 minutes and 13 balls Sri Lanka A lost the wickets of Ian Daniel, Michael Vandort and Russel Arnold to slide to 89 for 4.The captain, Jehan Mubarak, was in need of a big innings, and he and Malintha Gajanayake survived the next half-hour against some testing bowling, before the light was offered to the batsmen, soon after Gajanayake had survived a confident lbw shout against Asif.Weather permitting the match is scheduled to resume tomorrow at 10 a.m.

Crystal Palace were held to a disappointing draw by fierce rivals Brighton and Hove Albion on Monday evening thanks to a last-minute strike from Neal Maupay.

The Eagles were seemingly heading to a 1-0 victory at Selhurst Park after an entertaining encounter, but Vicente Guaita’s poor goal kick fell straight to Joel Veltman on the halfway line. The Brighton defender then hit an instant long pass into the path of Maupay, who lobbed Guaita from the edge of the box.

It sparked a fiery ending to proceedings in south London, with emotions boiling over both on and off the pitch, but it could have been a very different story had Palace taken their chances earlier in the game.

Wilfried Zaha had looked set to be the match-winner when he scored a penalty in stoppage time at the end of the first half following a Leandro Trossard foul on Conor Gallagher.

However, Palace were ultimately punished for not increasing their advantage, and one player was perhaps more guilty than most for letting inviting openings go to waste.

Versatile forward Jordan Ayew missed a glorious opportunity to put the home side 2-0 in the second half, slotting to ball wide of Robert Sanchez’s post following a swift breakaway involving Gallagher and Christian Benteke.

It means the 30-year-old still hasn’t bagged in the Premier League since November, extending an increasingly worrying run in front of goal.

As per SofaScore, Ayew received a match rating of just 6.3 out of 10 for his exploits on Monday, the second-lowest total of anyone on the pitch, and when looking at his underlying numbers, it’s easy to understand why.

The Ghana international failed to have a single shot on target before he was substituted in the 86th minute; he was also unable to complete a dribble and won just three of his 10 duels, highlighting his ineffective display for the capital club.

Ayew also only had 52 touches and lost possession eight times as he struggled to make his mark on the game while also struggling to cope defensively as Brighton’s impressive wing-back Marc Cucurella constantly bombed past him on the flanks.

It was another disappointing display for the former Marseille academy graduate, and manager Patrick Vieira should be running out of patience with his below-par attacker.

And, in other news…Imagine him and Edouard: Parish must seal Palace move for “quality” £25.2m-rated gem