Past West Indies cricketers drank and were subjected to curfews but they respected their profession and would never go overboard. This admission was made by former captain Clive Lloyd at the launch of his new biography in England.Lloyd, who is now a director of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), said he never condoned indiscipline and the players he led to global dominance in the 1970s and 1980s knew where to draw the line.”If you have rules and people break them, they know they’ll get punished. I think you need curfews if you have young people in the squad,” Lloyd said. “Discipline has always been something that I’ve believed in and the guys in the West Indies team knew that from day one. They said that once they saw me annoyed, they knew they’d overstepped the line.””We always had curfews and we had respect – respect for one another, respect for your profession and respect for the people you represent,” he added. However, Lloyd said that curfews weren’t imposed for the tour matches as the players had their free time then.Lloyd, who is also a committee member at Lancashire, Andrew Flintoff’s county, explained how drinking was not the only way to build team spirit but it had been a part of professional sport for many years.”Respect has got to be earned. You have to do the right things and lead by example. If you do things like Andrew has done, then you let yourself down,” Lloyd said.But Lloyd said former England coach Duncan Fletcher was wrong to speak out about Flintoff’s behaviour during the Ashes tour and could have handled the situation better.Fletcher said, in a serialisation of his autobiography, he had to cancel a training session in Australia as Flintoff, who was captain in the absence of Michael Vaughan, was under the influence of alcohol. Although Lloyd admitted drinking had always been a part of professional sport, he accepts Flintoff overstepped the mark.”Sportsmen have been drinking for years, it is not something new, but you don’t want to overdo it. I think there’s a limit because you need to be fresh and you’ve got to be thinking straight. We went out drinking but the point is we never overdid it. We went out as a group and knew it was important to do the right thing.”
Zorol Barthley, chief cricket operations officer of the WICB, has announced he will quit his role at the end of February next year.Barthley’s resignation is one of many to have hit the board in the past year and Dr Roland Toppin, who was named its new chief executive in November, will now have a clean slate with which to begin his tenure. So far this year, the resignations have included Roger Brathwaite, the chief executive; Darren Millien, the chief marketing executive; Dr. Michael Seepersaud, the chief cricket development officer and Bryce Cavanagh, the Australia-born strength and conditioning coach.Toppin takes up his new role in time for the World Cup which is being held in the Caribbean in March and April next year.
Duncan Fletcher, England’s coach, has insisted that Michael Vaughan’s fateis in his own hands as he continues to recuperate after the knee injuryhe suffered while batting at Bagh-e-Jinnah in Lahore last week. Vaughan,who missed England’s defeat in the first Test at Multan, was put throughhis paces in the nets at Faisalabad today, leaving Fletcher trusting inhis captain’s professionalism.”If he wants to play he can play,” Fletcher told reporters at the teamhotel in Faisalabad. “We can’t be absolutely confident, because he’s had thisknee problem before, but he’s got to live with it. He gave himself a goodtest today which was good to see, but we’ll be keen to monitor it over thenext couple of days.”Much as England would want their captain to return to shore up a brittlemiddle-order, the news that Marcus Trescothick will be staying with thetour, and not returning home to attend to a family incident, couldpersuade the England thinktank to take a more prudent approach.Trescothick’s father-in-law fell off a ladder and sustained serious headinjuries earlier this week, but his condition is now said to be stable.”From our point of view, Marcus is a world-class player who averages over40 and is batting as well as he ever has, so it’s great news he’s stayingon,” said Fletcher. “Having lost Simon Jones [before the tour began], tomiss another quality player would have been a big problem.”If there were any concerns that Trescothick would not be able to focus onthe job at hand, then Fletcher brushed them aside. “He got the news whileplaying [in the first Test], and it didn’t seem to affect him. It was moreserious at that time and it would have been a shock to him. But he wentout, captained the side very well, kept the energy levels up, and it neverlooked a problem. Hopefully he can adjust to that when this Test starts.”England could do without such speculation about two of their key players,as they look to regroup after their shock defeat in the first Test.Fletcher refused to speculate on the balance of the side until he had hada proper look at the wicket – which at present is covered in grassclippings to prevent any cracks appearing too soon – but he commended hissquad’s intensity during their first practice session since the Multandefeat.As to that disastrous final morning, in which England lost their last ninewickets for 111, Fletcher conceded: “We probably needed a little morepatience, because the opposition were allowed to bowl well for a period oftime. But it’s a fine line. We don’t want to become too patient and getbogged down, because our players are instinctive players to some degree.”But you’ve got to be a little careful,” Fletcher added. “The thing aboutTest cricket is that you can play well for four days then get into troublein just one hour. You’ve got to make sure you focus for every session offive days. But they’ve all done it before, and all our players work fortheir runs. It’s just a matter of reading the situation and playing thatsituation.”Of England’s middle-order, Kevin Pietersen – with a highest score of 19 insix innings on tour – is the man under the most scrutiny, but Fletcherbacked him to come good soon enough. “You could say he was a bit of aworry before the Oval Test, but then he got a big hundred. It’s only beenone Test. We expect him to get runs in this Test match, because he’s thetype of player who can hit a rich run of form.”As to whether England could bounce back with victory in their next Test,as they have done in every one of their four previous Test defeats of theVaughan era, Fletcher was guarded. “I’m confident but that’s noguarantee,” he said. “We’ve started well and finished badly, we’ve startedbadly and finished well, we’ve started well and finished well, and we’vestarted badly and finished badly. We’ve been right through them all, sofrom our point of view we’ve done it before, and we hope we’ll do itagain.”
The Sri Lankan batsmen made amends for their first-innings collapse and gained complete control of the game at the end of the third day at Faisalabad. Sanath Jayasuriya led the way with an uncharacteristically subdued hundred and strung together useful partnerships as Sri Lanka finished on 285 for 3, an overall lead of 264.Jayasuriya’s workmanlike hundred had some typically manic moments, and his wild slash at wide balls nearly got him out on a couple of occasions. He was out to a no-ball when he had made just 9, but Shoaib Akhtar had marginally overstepped the mark, while a number of flashes landed just wide of the fielders. But he was completely assured against the spinners – he swept Danish Kaneria forcefully and found the gap with precision – and capitalised on the defensive fields that were set. He brought up his hundred, his 13th, by smashing Kaneria for a massive six over long-on and tore the bowling apart immediately after. His last 29 came in just 23 balls and a few cover-drives bisected the fielders perfectly.Jayasuriya’s innings strengthened Sri Lanka’s grip on the game, but the momentum was seized with Kumar Sangakkara’s breezy 59. The start had been shaky, with Marvan Atapattu bagging his fourth pair in Tests when he was trapped in front by Shoaib. Sangakkara had to contend with a fired-up Shoaib, tearing in at full pelt and swinging it either way. But he counterattacked with a flurry of superbly struck fours, creaming five of them in a span of six balls as Sri Lanka raced to 60 in the first ten. Sangakkara brought up his sixth half-century in his last eight innings before falling to the first ball after lunch, as he wafted at one from Shoaib (98 for 2). By then, though, the innings was firmly back on track.
Mahela Jayawardene picked up the baton, adding another 118 with Jayasuriya, as he blunted the pace attack and tormented the spinners. He was nearly bowled early in his innings, when he shouldered arms to an incutter from Abdul Razzaq, but cruised to his fifty from that point. He knocked the spinners off their length as he danced down the pitch beautifully, and cut them fine when they dropped short. He fell to a perfectly pitched legbreak from Kaneria, as his defensive prod resulted in the ball taking the edge on its way to Moin Khan (216 for 3).Jayasuriya survived some tense moments in the eighties as he twice edged Shoaib wide of the slips. He was also involved in a mix-up which nearly resulted in Thilan Samaraweera being run out – fortunately for him, Yousuf Youhana missed the stumps from short midwicket. But Jayasuriya settled the nerves with some confident pushes against the spinners and shifted a gear once he passed his hundred. After being behind in the first four sessions of the Test, Sri Lanka were now in a position from where they could dictate terms.Their bowlers had begun the fightback on Thursday afternoon and they didn’t have any problems in mopping up the Pakistan tailenders this morning. Shoaib was given out lbw when he missed a straighter one from Rangana Herath, while Kaneria was run out two overs later. After an excellent start to their innings, Pakistan’s lead was just 21. Shoaib’s early dismissal of Atapattu pointed to a low-scoring thriller, but the rest of the Sri Lankan batsmen had other ideas.
BAT Sports sit at the top of the ECB Southern Electric Premier League after crushing the Hampshire Academy by eight wickets at the Rose Bowl.The Young Hawks were never in the hunt after dipping to 33-4 and, even though they rallied to reach 152-7, were handsomely beaten.One-time Hampshire 2nd XI off-spinner Richard Dibden, who now captains BAT, described his side’s performance as "thoroughly professional.""To restrict the Academy to 152-7 on a `road’ of a pitch was a highly commendable performance by our bowlers and particularly satisfying bearing in mind that Dan Goldstraw, our top wicket taker, was on holiday and Kirk Stewart is injured."Instead, it was Chris Thomason (2-29) and Mark Page (1-15) who did the damage with the new ball, whipping out Iain Brunnschweiler (5), Ian Hilsum (0) and Peter Hammond (5).When Damian Shirazi had Mitchell Stokes caught for 6, Hampshire were in deep trouble at 33-4.Kevin Latouf (30) retained his cool, but BAT’s bowlers maintained a strict line, with the left-arm spin of Terry Rawlins (2-26) and Dibden (1-24) particularly difficult to penetrate.Former Hampshire opener Giles White (23) fell at 95-7, leaving David Griffiths (38 not out) and Luke Merry with the responsibility of putting a reasonable total on the board.But 152 was never likely to be enough – and New Zealander Neal Parlane and Damian Shirazi quickly tucked in to the Hawks attack.Griffiths conceded 27 runs off his five overs and Merry 28 off four as Parlane quickly got into the groove.The Kiwi scored 50 of the first 67 runs to leave Shirazi (55 not out) and Richard Kenway (28) the formality of securing an easy BAT victory.Calmore Sports fancied their chances of a second 50-over victory when they reduced Liphook & Ripsley to 73-8, but it all went pear shaped for the Totton club, who suffered a batting collapse of their own.Calmore struck an important blow when Paul Cass trapped South African Alistair Gray leg before. Only Steve Riley, Jez Bulled and Duncan Berry reached double figures as Mark Boston (3-37) and Co made winless Liphook struggle to 73-8.But Tim Wheatley (40 not out) and man-of-the-match Alan Crawford (20) turned the match on its head with an unbroken 58-run partnership which lifted the visitors to 131-8.Calmore began confidently enough through Eugene Burzler (19) and Cass, but at 35-1 began to totter.Nick Gay (3-16) achieved a double breakthrough, but it was Crawford’s off-spin which caused most problems – with Burzler, James Hibberd, Tom Pegler (23) and Dave Rouse (14) all perishing.Calmore’s lower-order collapsed like a pack of cards – an optimistic 84-5 quickly becoming 91 all out as five wickets fell for six runs and the innings to 91 all out.
Otago’s new look under the State sponsorship announced today was demonstrated at a funcation at the Otago Cricket High Performance Centre.Those attending the Dunedin function included Otago Cricket’s patron Arthur Ibbotson and Mrs Ibbotson, life member Iain Gallaway, president Warren Shirley, board members Stuart Heal, ‘Jazz’ Hewitson and Peter Dobbs, and representatives from Otago Cricket’s major sponsors, State, the Dunedin Casino and Bentley’s Hotel.State Otago Volt Robbie Lawson and State Otago Spark Rowan Milburn modelled the uniforms at the function.
ScorecardFile photo – Rishabh Pant top-scored for India with 71•PTI
India sealed a 20-run win over England in Colombo, their third consecutive win of the triangular U-19s tournament guaranteeing them a place in the final.After choosing to bat, captain Rishabh Pant led India’s batting effort with a brisk 71 at the start. He put on a 113-run opening stand with Himanshu Rana, who also scored a fifty. Nos. 3 and 4 Ricky Bhui and Virat Singh then added a 52-run partnership after the openers were dismissed. India faltered in their death overs, as they were bowled out for 261 from the last ball of the innings, having been 209 for 4 after 40 overs.Dan Lawrence gave a strong start to the England chase, smashing nine fours in his 51-ball 55. George Bartlett and Max Holden added 63 for the sixth wicket after England lost three quick wickets in the middle overs. England’s chase went downhill soon after Bartlett fell for 70 in the 44th over, as Rahul Batham and Mayank Dagar wrapped up England’s innings for 241, picking up three wickets apiece.England have now lost three in a row at the competition and must hope for India to beat Sri Lanka in their next match to retain slim hopes of reaching the final.
Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a deal to bring Mamadou Coulibaly to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the summer transfer window.
What’s the talk?
That’s according to a report by Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), who claim that Tottenham, Manchester City, Juventus and AC Milan have all made contact with AS Monaco regarding a move for the 17-year-old central midfielder – who looks set to become available on a free transfer at the end of the season upon the expiry of his current deal with the Ligue 1 side.
The next Camavinga
Despite being yet to make his senior debut for Monaco, there is a considerable amount of hype surrounding Coulibaly’s future in the game.
Indeed, Gazzetta dello Sport claim that the teenager is similar in profile to Eduardo Camavinga – the 19-year-old “wonderkid” who was linked with a move to Spurs before his €45m (£38m) switch to Real Madrid last summer.
Meanwhile, the Italian publication also goes on to suggest that Paolo Maldini, Milan’s technical director, views the Senegalese sensation as the long-term successor to another of Spurs’ reported transfer targets, Franck Kessie.
And, while it is undeniable that Kessie would be a more first-team-ready option for Paratici to pursue this summer, with the 25-year-old having established himself as an extremely important player in the AC Milan midfield over the last four and a half years, considering Coulibaly’s tender age – and much higher ceiling – perhaps giving Antonio Conte the opportunity to mould the 17-year-old into exactly the type of midfielder he requires would be a smarter move for Spurs.
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Indeed, should Coulibaly continue his current trajectory following a potential switch to north London, the teenager would undoubtedly have a much higher resale value than that of Kessie, something which, alongside his undoubted potential, leads us to believe Paratici simply must prioritise a move for the Monaco starlet in the summer transfer window.
AND in other news: Conte could land Spurs’ next £53m dynamo in “outstanding” 21 y/o “constant threat”
The Indian Cricket League (ICL) has sent a legal notice to Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf for cancelling his contract. A top official with the ICL has said that action had to be taken after several unsuccessful attempts to get in touch with Yousuf to seek clarifications regarding certain statements made by him and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over the recent weeks.”We can confirm that we have indeed sent out a notice to Yousuf,” Ashish Kaul, executive president of the ICL, told Cricinfo. “We have been trying to reach out to him and sent out three reminders to discuss some crucial issues after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) clarified recently that Yousuf will not play in the ICL and make himself available for Pakistan.”Yousuf had reversed his decision to commit to the ICL following a meeting with PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf. With the board adopting a tough stance on all players who’ve signed up for the ICL, Yousuf signed a central contract with the PCB and made himself available for Pakistan. He subsequently signed up for the Indian Premier League (IPL), a franchise tournament launched by the Indian board which has already roped in several international stars.Yousuf had explained his withdrawal from the ICL by stating that he wasn’t aware of a certain clause which says that priority had to be given to the league instead of Pakistan when international matches are happening simultaneously. Responding to this, Kaul said that there was no such clause, and that if a clash of dates were to occur, the ICL would have accomodated it. Kaul said that efforts had been made to get in touch with Yousuf and clarify such comments.The inaugural season of the ICL – a Twenty20 tournament – is set to begin in November, though the schedule is yet to be announced. Players who’ve already signed up have undergone a beginner’s camp in Chennai and an advanced camp is set to begin as well.”We are likely to announce the schedule, details of the teams and the team colours in a week’s time,” Kaul said. “The details of the venue of the advanced camp will be announced soon as well.”Kaul added that no new players have signed up over recent weeks, and denied reports that New Zealand’s Craig McMillan was one of those approached.
Day 2 ScorecardAkalanka Ganegama and Upul Chandana shared seven wickets between them as Sri Lanka A dismissed West Zone for 149 on the second day of their Duleep Trophy clash in Cuttack. By stumps, Sri Lanka A had moved on to 83 for 1 with a handy 259-run lead.Ganegama dismissed Wasim Jaffer, the West Zone captain, for 0 in the first over en route to his figures of 4 for 47, while Chandana’s legspin ran a ring around the lower order. Dammika Prasad, a right-arm medium pacer, struck two telling blows up the order when he removed Dheeraj Jadhav and Rohit Sharma. For West Zone, only the veteran Amol Muzumdar managed 51.Siddharth Trivedi, the medium pacer, removed Mahela Udawatte for 10 but Michael Vandort (38*) and Malinda Warnapura (34*) took Sri Lanka A to a commanding position at the close.Day 2 ScorecardHundreds to Mahesh Rawat and Joginder Sharma, coupled with wickets before stumps on day two, cemented North Zone’s firm grasp over Central Zone in Jamshedpur. Bad light forced an early end to the day, but not before Rawat and Joginder, overnight on 59 and 65 respectively, progressed to their hundreds during a 171-run sixth-wicket stand as North Zone racked up 443.Rawat collected 16 boundaries in his second first-class hundred, while Joginder hit 14 fours and a six on the way to his third. Spinners Piyush Chawla and Murali Kartik each picked up three wickets for Central Zone.Taking the new ball, Joginder then forced Amit Pagnis to edge to Rawat behind the stumps. Rawat picked up his second catch when Shivakant Shukla nicked one from VRV Singh.