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Hamid Hassan, Afghanistan’s star quick-bowler, believes his team can head back to Afghanistan proud of their World Twenty20 experience and has challenged his side to become the best non-Test playing nation.

Cricinfo staff06-May-2010Hamid Hassan, Afghanistan’s star quick-bowler, believes his team can head back to Afghanistan proud of their World Twenty20 experience and has challenged his side to become the best non-Test playing nation.Hassan took three wickets in four overs against South Africa on Wednesday as Afghanistan put in a good showing against South Africa, restricting them to 139 off 20 overs. He removed Jacques Kallis, JP Duminy and Mark Boucher with impressive pace and his ebullient attitude epitomised the optimism sweeping across Afghani cricket.”I believe we are heading home to Afghanistan with our heads held high despite losing our second consecutive match of the tournament,” he wrote in his Cricinfo blog. “We can be proud of the fact that we did ourselves justice in the field with a really good bowling display.Having tasted competition against the world’s best Hassan is undaunted by the challenges that lie ahead for Afghanistan and thinks his side could surprise top teams soon.”Looking back on the event, I think we have shown that we have the potential to compete against some of the Full Members, and it is just a shame that we didn’t qualify for the [50-over] World Cup 2011 as I think with another year to improve we could have surprised a few teams.”Afghanistan narrowly missed out on qualification last March but bounced back to gain entry for the World Twenty20, beating Ireland in the final in qualifying tournament January. Hassan insists the best way for his team to improve is to get more fixtures against good teams.”We have shown what we have been able to do in these two matches and with more regular exposure to top quality batters and bowlers then we can get better,” he wrote. “To try and become the best non-Test playing country in the world we need to prove that we can win titles on a regular basis and not just in the Twenty20 format of the game.”

Speaking to Football Insider, a Tottenham Hotspur source has shared some Saturday night exit news involving Matt Doherty.

The Lowdown: Conte overhaul begins?

Antonio Conte has been making his evaluations on the squad over the past few weeks as he assesses who should stay or leave north London in the winter window, as he candidly admitted to the press.

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There have already been a few names mentioned as possible departures in January, with the likes of Dele Alli, Giovani Lo Celso and Doherty all linked with a move away from N17.

Sharing the latest update on the Irish defender, a Lilywhites source has apparently lifted the lid on a weekend development.

The Latest: Conte and Spurs ‘will’ allow Dohery exit…

As per Football Insider, sharing news ‘on Saturday night’, Tottenham and Conte are now set to greenlight the Republic of Ireland international’s potential exit this month.

Indeed, Doherty ‘will be allowed’ to leave the club this winter, with Spurs allegedly open to either a loan move or permanent deal for the player.

The Verdict: Right call…

Since signing for Tottenham from Wolves in the summer of 2020, it’s safe to say things haven’t quite worked out for the former Molineux star in north London.

Making just 39 appearances in all competitions over a season and a half at Spurs, Doherty has never quite cemented his place in the first team under three separate managers in Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo or Conte.

His market value has also dropped by £8m since last year, so we advise Spurs transfer chief Fabio Paratici and chairman Daniel Levy to find a buyer this month before that plummets any further.

Contracted until 2024, there is still time to cash in on the 29-year-old, and it’s safe to say that finding a buyer for Doherty should be one of Tottenham’s squad-trimming priorities this month.

In other news: ‘Absolute no-brainer’…Sky Sports pundit thrilled by ‘exciting’ transfer news out of Tottenham, find out more here.

New Zealand Cricket is viewing its joint venture with United States of America Cricket Association as a long-term investment

Cricinfo staff29-May-2010New Zealand Cricket (NZC) is viewing its joint venture with United States of America Cricket Association (USACA) as a long-term investment that could even see USA host the ICC Champions Trophy, possibly after 2015.”[2013 is] a real long shot. We talked about that, but ICC regulations require two venues pretty close to each other and at the moment we’ve only got one [in Florida],” NZC chief Justin Vaughan told the . “It also needs a number of practicefacilities and at the moment there are no other turf wickets in Florida, so it would be a stretch. From the ICC’s perspective, and a commercial perspective, there would be a lot of enthusiasm for it, but it’s probably a bridge too far. ICC events beyond 2015, certainly that is something very much on the horizon.”Despite the lukewarm response, and financial loss, generated by the two Twenty20 matches played between New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Lauderhill, Florida, NZC has a lot of faith in the potential of the US market, particularly northern California, New York and Florida, areas with a high percentage of subcontinent ex-patriates.”The projected losses were being underwritten by a third party,” Vaughan said. “So we can go ahead and further develop a relationship with US cricket. It will take time. I think everyone understands you are not going to immediately transform the US into a cricket-mad nation, or excite the local sponsors and broadcasters.”NZC’s interest in the US is part of its strategy to increase revenues, as it seeks to diversify its income sources, currently limited to the dividends it receives from the ICC and from cricket played within New Zealand.That is why NZC views the recent Twenty20 matches as an important first step despite the games themselves being low-scoring affairs in front of modest crowds. “We got reasonable crowds. Obviously they were mainly ex-pats but we got some Americans there,” Vaughan said. “The players really enjoyed themselves and through word of mouth that will have a positive effect on the cricket community there.”While the wicket wasn’t up to the standards we would like to see for international Twenty20 cricket, the facility is otherwise really good. The wicket has potential, but we had issues where the grass died.”

Liverpool have made an “approach” to sign Porto winger Luis Diaz as Jurgen Klopp looks to strengthen his side in this January transfer window.

What’s the story?

The Reds of course have seen both Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah make their way to AFCON this month, and could be without them for several games depending on their progress at the competition.

Perhaps with that in mind, the Merseyside club have targeted a new winger, and journalist Pedro Almeida has now revealed that Diaz has emerged as a potential target.

Writing on Twitter, he said: “First approach of Liverpool by Luis #Diaz from Porto. Portuguese club want €70M (£59m) by the player. Let’s see what happen.”

Fans surely excited

While Luis Diaz may not have exactly set the world alight during Porto’s two Champions League group stage games against Liverpool earlier this season – he failed to score in either fixture – he has enjoyed a very impressive league campaign overall.

The Colombia international has scored 12 goals in just 15 Portuguese top-flight games, as well as providing four assists too, showcasing a real ability to be a goal-scoring threat from out wide.

His Porto teammate Sergio Oliveira waxed lyrical about him after his goal-scoring display in the Champions League against Milan, saying: “I don’t have to answer, we know his qualities, apart from the human level he is also extraordinary on a technical level. The best for him will also be the best for us as a team.”

And, those sentiments were echoed by Marino Peixoto, a Portuguese football expert, who declared: “The rate at which Luís Diaz is churning out otherworldly performances coupled with his ability to score screamers like this on a consistent basis is genuinely frightening. Only a matter of time before somebody pays an astronomical fee for him.”

With Mane and Salah both out of contention, and quality wide options lacking outside of them too, Diaz’s arrival could give Klopp’s side a genuinely impressive winger who could fit into the duo’s roles with ease.

The Reds of course have seen some big success with South American signings, with the likes of Roberto Firmino, Fabinho, Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho among others all stamping their authority at Anfield in some shape or form.

Diaz could be the next in line to do so now that Liverpool have made their first approach for him.

Meanwhile, this Liverpool target is shades of Steven Gerrard…

A major update has emerged on Newcastle United’s pursuit of Manchester United’s Donny van de Beek…

What’s the talk?

According to The Telegraph, the Magpies made contact with the midfielder to speak about a potential loan deal and were met with a firm decision in response – no.

The report claims that he told the club that he does not want to arrive at St. James’ Park on loan and part of his reasoning is their battle against relegation at the bottom of the table.

Gutted

Nick Hammond is facing his first blunder of the January transfer window for Newcastle by missing out on a deal to sign van de Beek as fans will be left gutted.

The report indicates that discussions were had between the two parties leading up to the player’s final decision and this suggests that the transfer chief did not do enough to convince him.

Newcastle’s pitch was not tantalising enough to tempt the Dutchman into ditching Old Trafford to join the Magpies and this could be an error as he could have been an excellent addition to the squad. Although he has struggled for game time at Manchester United, he has previously proven his quality for Ajax in the Eredivisie and the Champions League.

Back in 2020, Scott McTominay praised his character and believed that his game time would increase. He told Sky Sports:

“Donny van de Beek is a great lad and a brilliant football player. I’m sure, the way he is working in training and how hard he’s working, his time will definitely come to get more minutes on the pitch.”

However, that has not been the case and he has played 69 minutes of Premier League football for the Red Devils this season. This comes after he made 19 appearances last term, four starts, and played 515 minutes in the English top-flight.

In the 2018/19 campaign, he produced 12 goals and 12 assists from midfield in the Eredivisie and Champions League combined. He averaged a WhoScored rating of 7.16 across 12 matches in the latter, showing that he can produce quality displays on a regular basis at the top level, which is why Newcastle fans will be gutted that he has decided not to join the club.

It is now down to Hammond, Eddie Howe and PIF to either change his mind and seal a transfer or identify alternative targets who can come in and have an impact on the side.

AND in other news, “They’d like to sign..”: Reporter delivers big NUFC transfer claim, it’ll excite Howe…

Essex’s bowlers ensured they held a commanding advantage over Lancashire after two days of their County Championship Division One match at Old Trafford

25-May-2010
ScorecardMaurice Chambers did the early damage to Lancashire’s innings•Getty ImagesEssex’s bowlers ensured they held a commanding advantage over Lancashire after two days of their County Championship Division One match at Old Trafford. The home side’s batting order has rarely looked steady this campaign and they struggled again as five of the six bowlers used by Essex captain Mark Pettini got amongst the wickets.The scorecard was at its worst when the lacklustre hosts were reduced to 101 for 7 at the end of the 37th over in reply to Essex’s first-innings total of 307. But at least a fourth County Championship half-century of the summer for Sajid Mahmood helped his side avoid the follow-on and reach 184 all out.Mahmood finished with 58, off as many balls, while Pakistani leg-spinner Danish Kaneria was the pick of the visiting attack with 3 for 42 from 13.1 overs. Maurice Chambers and Ryan ten Doeschate had claimed two each of the first seven but Lancashire were hampered by a bout of sickness for regular opener Stephen Moore. The ex-Worcestershire batsman only came in at No. 6 and made just 3.Essex opener Billy Godleman was the 15th wicket to fall in the day when he was caught behind by Luke Sutton off the bowling of Kyle Hogg in the visiting side’s second innings. They reached 26 for 1 from 13 overs at close and will begin day three with a lead of 149.The day could hardly have started better for the hosts after Essex could only add another 56 to their overnight total and left-arm spinner Simon Kerrigan finished with a career-best of 6 for 74 from 38.3 overs. Kerrigan took all four wickets, including three in eight balls, to ensure his side claimed a third bowling point in the nick of time.He took two wickets in the 110th over, including Kaneria bowled off the last ball of it, to reduce Essex to 299 for 9 and prevent the visitors claiming another bonus point of their own. Kerrigan then knocked over last man Maurice Chambers, caught by Mark Chilton, to leave Lancashire felling better about themselves.Chambers soon changed that as he bowled Luke Sutton and Ashwell Prince, the latter with a beauty with the first ball of the afternoon session. ten Doeschate had Paul Horton and Moore caught in the gully by Ravi Bopara and behind by James Foster respectively.Chris Wright trapped Steven Croft lbw in between before David Masters had skipper Glen Chapple caught behind and Kaneria snared Mark Chilton lbw for 49. And when Hogg was run out by Bopara in the covers two overs into the evening session Lancashire were 123 for 8 in the 44th over.Kaneria then had Kerrigan caught by a diving Bopara at mid-wicket before Mahmood skied one to Walker to complete the innings.

There is a willingness to get transfer business done at Leeds United this month, according to reliable journalist Beren Cross.

What’s the word?

The LeedsLive reporter delivered an exciting update to supporters in a recent Q&A on the website, where he was asked about whether the Yorkshire giants were more focused on the summer, rather than now.

“I wouldn’t say more focused on the summer because their focus is on January right now. Victor Orta wants to strengthen at Elland Road this month, as hard as that may be,” he responded.

“The board will always have one eye on the future though and will know there always has to be an element of doubt around Bielsa’s future because of his contract situation.”

Bielsa surely buzzing

It’s certainly going to come as a huge source of encouragement to those around Elland Road that their director of football is keen to bolster Marcelo Bielsa’s playing squad this month.

The Argentine head coach is in desperate need of additions before deadline day on January 31st.

Despite moving eight points clear of the relegation zone, Leeds are still in a perilous position both on and off the pitch – the two teams below them have games in hand and the injuries are never-ending.

Heading into this weekend’s Premier League encounter with West Ham United, the 66-year-old is set to be without as many as nine first-team stars, including key midfield cog Kalvin Phillips and skipper Liam Cooper.

He has also been without leading talisman Patrick Bamford for the majority of the campaign, and though he is set to return this weekend, it’s clear that the England international does not have sufficient backup in attack.

Not only is a forward needed but also a midfielder and perhaps another option at the back. He does only have one senior left-back, for example.

Bielsa should, therefore, be absolutely delighted by this fresh update.

AND in other news, Leeds eye 1st January signing in “dominant” 37-cap titan, he could be another Lasogga…

A round-up of the fifth day’s action of the ICC World Cricket League Division One in Netherlands

Cricinfo staff07-Jul-2010Ireland eased to their fourth consecutive win in the World Cricket League Division One, beating Canada by five wickets in Amstelveen, to book their place in the tournament final. Canada will take on Kenya on Saturday for the fifth place.The Ireland win was set up by an all-round effort from Kevin O’Brien, who bagged two wickets to limit Canada to 154 and then followed up with an unbeaten 43 to steer his team home. During the Canada innings, O’Brien had been supported by George Dockrell and Andrew White, who bagged two wickets each, and the chase was made easier by way of an unbeaten 63-run stand with John Mooney, who made 44.Ireland saw through two periods of recovery that helped secure their win. The Canadian middle order got starts but the bowlers hit back, and during the chase, Ireland had been struggling at 92 for 5 between O’Brien and Mooney stepped up.Netherlands’ hopes of reaching the final of a home tournament were dealt a major setback, as Afghanistan beat them comfortably by six wickets in Voorburg. Tom Cooper starred for the hosts with his maiden ODI century, but was short of support from the other end as Netherlands only managed a below-par 202. Cooper struck a patient century, off 155 balls, but seamer Khaliq Dad’s three-wicket haul had kept Netherlands in check.Afghanistan began on a poor note, losing their first two wickets with just eight on the board, but opener Karim Sadiq and wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad led a recovery. Shahzad made a 63-ball 55, and captain Nowroz Mangal consolidated the good work with an unbeaten 67. His knock was an attacking one, coming off 53 balls, laced with 10 fours and a six. He added an unfinished 93 with Asghar Stanikzai, who batted patiently during his 28, to seal victory with 45 balls to spare.Kenya slid to their fourth-successive defeat, falling six runs short in a low-scoring encounter against Scotland in Rotterdam. It was slow going as Scotland, led by Fraser Watts’ fifty, managed 172 for 8 in their 50 overs, but Matthew Parker’s four-wicket haul ensured it was just enough, and earned him the Man-of-the-Match award. Scotland got off to a steady start, with the openers adding 41. However, they were in need of a recovery at 74 for 4, and Watts and Moneeb Iqbal provided that with a stand of 73. Watts hit only two fours in his half-century, and was bowled by Thomas Odoyo shortly after reaching the milestone. The lower order couldn’t accelerate towards the end but managed to bat out their allotment of overs without getting bowled out. Odoyo and James Ngoche were the best bowlers for Kenya, taking three wickets apiece.Lack of solid partnerships at the top left Kenya struggling in their chase. Alex Obanda made 39 but after he was dismissed, bowled by Richie Berrington, Kenya stuttered. Jimmy Kamande and Odoyo added 42 to revive hopes but Ross Lyons removed them both to leave Kenya in trouble at 110 for 7. Two further strikes by Parker made it 115 for 9, but the last-wicket pair of Nelson Odhiambo and Ngoche didn’t give up so easily. They battled till the 49th over before Gordon Drummond clean bowled Odhiambo to seal a close game for Scotland.Today’s victories by Afghanistan and Scotland have set-up a virtual semi-final between the two sides in Rotterdam. Both are tied on three wins each, and the winner will progress to the final while the losing side will take on the Netherlands on Saturday in the third and fourth place play-off.

Ireland 4 4 0 0 0 8 +0.979 676/163.2 632/200.0 Scotland 4 3 1 0 0 6 +0.060 719/175.5 646/160.2 Afghanistan 4 3 1 0 0 6 +0.026 893/191.1 929/200.0 Netherlands 4 2 2 0 0 4 +0.596 834/192.4 718/192.2 Kenya 4 0 4 0 0 0 -0.839 674/200.0 799/189.5 Canada 4 0 4 0 0 0 -0.959 705/176.0 777/156.3

Tottenham insider John Wenham believes defender Joe Rodon could seal a north London exit in the final days on the January window, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Rodon under Conte

Rodon is one of five senior centre-backs on the books in north London but has hardly featured under Antonio Conte.

The 24-year-old has made just one appearance under the Italian, coming against Morecambe in the FA Cup earlier this month. He’s been a regular in Conte’s Premier League matchday squads but hasn’t managed to make a cameo off the bench.

Leeds were name-checked with an interest in Rodon ahead of the January window, with reports suggesting that Spurs were likely to give the green light to a temporary exit. However, Alasdair Gold recently admitted that Spurs are yet to receive any official offers for the Wales international.

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The Latest: Wenham’s comments

Wenham was talking to Football Insider regarding Rodon and a possible exit this month.

Here’s what he had to say, labelling it a ‘surprise’ that no offers have come in but backing Rodon to seal an exit ‘in the last days of the window’.

“It is a surprise there have been no offers.

“He might not have played much this season but he did really well at the Euros, clubs must know how good he is.

“A lot of clubs should be looking for a centre-back with plenty of Premier League experience, is capable of playing in a two or three at the back and a full international.

“It does surprise me that it has been reported there have been no offers. I think this is one of those things that might ramp up in the last days of the window.

“Maybe it’s one where clubs will look to sign him after they have been snubbed by their preferred targets.

“I still expect him to leave.”

The Verdict: Will Conte need him?

If Rodon doesn’t seal a Spurs exit before the end of the month, it may not be the end of the world for Conte. That’s because the Spurs boss could be down to the bare bones at the back with Cristian Romero and Eric Dier injured and Japhet Tanganga linked with a move to AC Milan.

Should the latter of the three depart and no defensive reinforcements arrive, Rodon would be one of two fit centre-backs available, meaning the Italian may be forced to use him over the coming weeks.

Things could change between now and the end of the month of course, so the Welshman’s future could be one to keep an eye on.

In other news: Spurs make 11th-hour attempt to dramatically scupper rivals’ move for £40.5m-rated ‘beast’. 

A round-up of matches on the third day of the Emerging Players Tournament in Brisbane

Cricinfo staff10-Aug-2010Match abandoned
ScorecardAustralian Institute of Sport (AIS) had scored 6 for 129 after 17.2 overs against South Africa Emerging Players when rain forced the players off the field and did not allow a resumption. Pomersbach top scored for the Australians with 55 off 39 balls. The washout meant that AIS qualified for the final of the Twenty20 part of the Emerging Players Tournament.Match abandoned
ScorecardRain washed out the match between the emerging players from India and New Zealand without a ball bowled at the Peter Burge Oval in Brisbane. India had won their first two games and so qualified for the final of the Twenty20 leg of the competition against Australian Institute of Sport.