Tag Futebol

Ricky Ponting at the nets before Australia’s first match of the VB Series © Getty Images

Just two days. That’s all the time we have to get over one of the greatest Test series in recent memory. The emotion over such a keenly contested rubber and the retirement of an Australian icon have to be set aside very soon. Australia take on India in the opening match of the VB tri-series and despite all their frailties which were exposed in the Tests, Ricky Ponting’s team wear the favourites tag.There wasn’t even time for a warm-up game for India and Australia. With the batsmen indulging in some run-revelry in the Tests, shifting gears will not be a problem. But what of the bowling? Anil Kumble will be India’s best bet again but he can’t bowl all day, and the support cast will need to strike rhythm early. India will also rely heavily on part-timers: Sanjay Bangar’s medium pace will need to be as military in its discipline as in its description while Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar will provide restricting options.Nathan Bracken finds himself in the elite indisposed company of Glenn Mcgrath and Shane Warne, which means that Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee will be the vanguards for Australians. Brad Williams’s pace and pumped-up vigour will add some zip while Andy Bichel’s heroics are never too far away. And then there is a small matter of Ian Harvey’s slower balls and yorkers at the death – something that tormented the Indians in the TVS Cup.The batting stocks could not have been more bullish. Ricky Ponting and Rahul Dravid are batting as if in a trance. Sachin Tendulkar, irrespective of whether he plays the cover-drive or not, has stood on ODI Olympus in the past year and Virender Sehwag will be given far more license to swat it around. Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist and Andrew Symonds need no invitation to brutalise, and Michael Clarke has shown composure when confronted with pressure. And then there’s Bevan …Lets not forget, though, that a third team is involved in the tournament as well. Heath Streak insists that Zimbabwe aren’t around to just make up the numbers, but their form in Australia so far has hardly been inspiring. In fact, they have been mauled in two of their three matches. Yet, they fought tooth and nail with West Indies in a five-match home series. Heath Streak and Tatenda Taibu scripted many a rescue act and Andy Blignaut finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker.With Craig Wishart and Stuart Carlisle suffering injuries and the top order failing time and again, the picture looks far from rosy. But it was a similar story before the Test series in October, and they fought quite magnificently. Ray Price was their hero then and Zimbabwe will look for similar performances to prevent the tri-series from being an abject misnomer.

New Zealand lifted their one-day performance levels this season and just about broke even in terms of results.In 15 games played they won seven, which is one of the better winning ratios in recent years. It is still well below the level that will indicate the side has been winning consistently but it is a step in the right direction, especially with the World Cup looming next year.Several of New Zealand’s players are moving into the prime years of their careers and their performances in the year or two ahead should be reflective as the most settled of their careers.A CricInfo review of New Zealand’s players used this year follows:NATHAN ASTLE:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 11 11 2 343 122* 38.11 65.96 1 2 7 -Mat O M R W Ave Best 4w 5w SR EconBowling 11 19.2 0 93 3 31.00 3-4 – – 38.6 4.81

Outstanding as Astle’s season finale was in Dunedin when he produced one of his most significant ODI centuries to set up a series win over England, the Astle strike rate in the statistics above better reflects his season. He did have a 95 in his first innings in Australia, and he did also receive what he politely called “rough calls” in the England series. But he lacked for the sort of consistency New Zealand require of him if they are to be a formidable consideration for the World Cup. He doesn’t have that on his own. But that last innings will linger long in the memory and he is clearly our best-performing one-day batsman.CHRIS NEVIN:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 5 5 0 120 55 24.00 88.23 – 1 3 1

Nevin had cause to feel a little confused with his status this season. The preferred option for the first one-day series in Pakistan which never happened, he was then over-looked for the VB Series in Australia as Adam Parore’s ‘keeping form could not be denied. So he was called in for the England series where he generally succeeded in seeing New Zealand off to the sort of starts wanted. Starts of 99, 25, 10, 9 and 55, make a darned sight better reading than New Zealand managed in Australia. And Nevin’s strike rate is the most interesting reading with 88.23! Some remedial work over winter on his ‘keeping and he looks World Cup bound.BRENDON McCULLUM:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 7 7 0 92 37 13.14 56.44 – – 2 –

The real shot in the dark of all the New Zealand selections this year, McCullum did not produce instant results. But this is a player who, in a year or two, has the potential to set about challenging the record Astle has developed. His selection has not been wasted and he has a huge future in the New Zealand game. He has hard work to do in terms of his own disciplines, but this is a batsman who will be capable to taking the best attacks apart.STEPHEN FLEMING:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 14 14 1 444 85 34.15 65.10 – 4 8 –

Fleming has been a fascinating study in style this year. Having overcome the Test match bogey of not being able to convert 50s into centuries, he has developed his captaincy very well and his tactic immediately preceding Graham Thorpe’s dismissal in Dunedin was a classic example of his innovation for effect in ODIs. But he is also working on developing his batting style to cope with the new bouncer law. That has not made for pretty watching at times, but if the longer term benefit of it is that he emerges as a better-equipped batsmen in ODIs then that has to have made it all worthwhile. His strike rate for the summer is too low for a player of his quality and reflects the season he has had. He looks like he needs a good, long match-winning innings to restore his quality to its highest level. But let no-one doubt the quality of his leadership in this side.CRAIG McMILLAN:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 15 15 0 427 73 28.46 72.86 – 2 2 -Mat O M R W Ave Best 4w 5w SR EconBowling 15 7 0 39 0 – – – – – 5.57

For the type of player he is, McMillan must feel some frustration with his results this year. They are not bad, but they are not at the dominating level he achieved last summer. His strike rate this year of 72.86 compares with the 85.07 of last year and the average has dropped from 37.90 last summer to 28.46 this year. Perhaps, he too is having to come to grips with the bouncer law. His role in the middle-order is vital to the side’s future, and his commitment during the 100-run stand with Astle in Dunedin was a classic example of his ability to fill that demand. McMillan will come back stronger, he has too, and World Cup year might represent perfect timing.LOU VINCENT:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 15 15 1 317 55 22.64 58.05 – 1 8 –

It is not until you do this sort of exercise that you realise just how light Vincent’s contribution has been with the bat this year. Admittedly part of that is due to the requirement to use him as an opener for a while. His place is in the middle-order and hopefully that fact has been established now. The innings he played in Wellington with McMillan during an 84-run stand was pivotal to New Zealand’s success. But much more of the same is needed from him, at an even faster clip. There’s no doubting the lift he gives New Zealand in the field and a key player in future scheme of things.CHRIS CAIRNS:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 14 14 2 398 102* 33.16 94.08 1 3 5 -Mat O M R W Ave Best 4w 5w SR EconBowling 14 111 8 495 23 21.52 3-32 – – 28.9 4.45

Cairns not only advanced his batting strike rate on last summer, he vastly reduced his bowling economy rate, no doubt benefiting from the knee surgery he underwent. Now that the is not required to open the bowling, Cairns has become a much more influential figure with the ball. And his bowling in Dunedin which was his best of the summer, is an indication that he is right back in his stride. There were times during the England series when he failed with the bat, although the threat was always lurking as England found out as he almost defied Duckworth/Lewis in Auckland. However, the innings in Brisbane to beat South Africa was a graphic representation of his class. Everyone would like Cairns to be more consistent but that is largely in his own hands.CHRIS HARRIS:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 15 14 4 280 63* 28.00 63.06 – 1 11 -Mat O M R W Ave Best 4w 5w SR EconBowling 15 115.3 2 487 12 40.58 3-37 – – 57.7 4.21

New Zealand are never beaten until Harris has been taken out of the picture. His fighting qualities have been revealed time and again. Despite the best efforts of batsmen everywhere to get on top of him, his economy rate is down again on last year, and this on better quality wickets in Australia and New Zealand. His batting too, remains consistent and his status is undiminished, the genuine team man who doesn’t know when to quit.ANDRE ADAMS:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 9 8 4 118 28* 29.50 126.88 – – 2 -Mat O M R W Ave Best 4w 5w SR EconBowling 9 76.2 3 347 12 28.91 3-13 – – 38.1 4.54

Someone soon on the world cricket scene is going to suffer at Andre Adams’ hands. His best score is not going to remain 28 not out for long. He’s had sufficient taste of international play this summer to pause and reflect on what more he must do, but there is no doubt he has made his mark. He offers New Zealand greater strength with his batting, while his sheer speed in bowling makes him far more valuable than your regular old New Zealand medium-pacer. However, he cannot rest on his laurels, players like Jacob Oram have to be competing with the likes of Adams and McCullum for places and it is the player performing the most consistently who will be selected most times.SCOTT STYRIS:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 4 4 0 64 23 16.00 64.00 – – 1 -Mat O M R W Ave Best 4w 5w SR EconBowling 4 13 0 74 0 – – – – – 5.69

Styris is unlikely to feature in the immediate future with the one-day side. His bowling is too expensive while his batting strike rate is not sufficiently high enough to push him ahead of Adams and Oram, who ended last summer with a batting strike rate of 91.46 and a bowling economy rate of 4.89.ADAM PARORE:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 10 9 3 109 36* 18.16 64.11 – – 16 –

A future in One-Day Internationals looks unlikely for Parore. Nevin is doing the job at the top of the order that is required by New Zealand while the hope has to be that McCullum’s knee problem can be solved so that he can be groomed to assume Parore’s wicket-keeping mantle in the longer term picture of New Zealand’s cricket. Parore could not offer the batting scope that Nevin provides and while there was no doubt about Parore’s sheer ‘keeping quality, Nevin best fits the bill at the moment.SHANE BOND:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 9 4 2 32 17* 16.00 76.19 – – 2 -Mat O M R W Ave Best 4w 5w SR EconBowling 9 82.2 10 344 21 16.38 5-25 2 1 23.5 4.17

Bond’s arrival on the scene has given New Zealand an extra weapon with his pace bowling, all the more important now the bouncer law is in vogue. Injury preventing him playing against England was a disappointment but with a full programme in the month’s ahead, he still has plenty of time to be exposed to top quality play before the World Cup where his role is assuming significant proportions. An exciting prospect in all respects, and he can fling a bat as well.DION NASH:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 4 3 0 45 24 15.00 78.94 – – 1 -Mat O M R W Ave Best 4w 5w SR EconBowling 4 28 1 124 6 20.66 3-37 – – 28.0 4.42

Nash’s contribution was nowhere near as much as everyone would have wanted of him. The injury problems flared again and it has to be wondered where his future lies. At least there are players emerging who are capable of filling his role in the side. But he still had something to offer when he was used, and his ability to snap up key wickets has not been lost. The last may not yet have been heard of Nash.DANIEL VETTORI:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 15 11 4 74 30 10.57 54.81 – – 2 -Mat O M R W Ave Best 4w 5w SR EconBowling 15 125.1 2 531 10 53.10 3-17 – – 75.1 4.24

It probably wasn’t the most successful of Vettori’s one-day summers although in terms of economy his runs per over was sound. He was hunted by the Australians and South Africans, much moreso than the English, but, typically, he never lost his cool. While the Test match arena appeals as the area in which he can cause most havoc, he is still a doughty one-day player with the ability to tie down opposing sides when the need requires. His batting has been found out in some respects but anyone who frees him up can expect to suffer the consequences.MARK RICHARDSON:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 4 4 0 42 26 10.50 43.29 – – 1 –

The experiment of the year but one that failed. Richardson had pushed a compelling case for inclusion in the one-day side, in the public’s mind at least and if the selectors had any doubts they decided to find out for themselves. Richardson did not come off. Chasing runs in a Test match setting is a different proposition to getting the innings underway and while he would get a place fielding in the England side, he does not fit in the New Zealand plan. Test matches only will be his label in the future one suspects.JAMES FRANKLIN:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 7 5 1 18 9* 4.50 45.00 – – 3 -Mat O M R W Ave Best 4w 5w SR EconBowling 7 54 0 289 6 48.16 2-41 – – 54.0 5.35

It was a harsh season for Franklin, especially after the highly-encouraging start he made last year. But it will not be the end of him. Out of the ashes of the fire Shaun Pollock lit at Perth will emerge a better player and it will be all the more impressive when he adds his impressive batting talent to his CV.DARYL TUFFEY:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 5 2 0 6 5 3.00 35.29 – – 1 -Mat O M R W Ave Best 4w 5w SR EconBowling 5 43 5 184 6 30.66 3-42 – – 43.0 4.27

Disappointment must have entered Tuffey’s thinking when he failed to make the VB Series squad but if he let that upset him it has not been obvious. His bowling against England has been tremendous. In Wellington and Dunedin he bowled outstandingly, and he has gained a degree of control that makes him unrelenting. His is an important role in the side and he looks set for a long stay as a journeyman in the traditional New Zealand Bob Cunis/Ewen Chatfield mould.IAN BUTLER:

Mat I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct StBatting 2 1 0 3 3 3.00 50.00 – – – -Mat O M R W Ave Best 4w 5w SR EconBowling 2 9 0 58 1 58.00 1-37 – – 54.0 6.44

Success doesn’t come as quickly as Butler’s first ODI wicket did. Called in as a speed option replacement for Bond, Butler always had to be kept in cotton wool. He is a fine, long-term prospect, and the thought of he and Bond at opposite ends in an ODI is a thrilling one. But more work needs to be done on him. He may well get a winter tour but investment is the word that best sums up his summer.

After a strong showing in the warm-up matches, although the opposition was disappointing, India must go into the First Test match against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club tomorrow as favourites. Their batsmen have all scored runs, although Sadagoppan Ramesh was perhaps not very convincing, and their bowlers, Javagal Srinath and Harbhajan Singh especially, have struck good form.Zimbabwe, however, are unpredictable. When they are good, they are very, very good, but when they are bad they are abysmal. On their good days they can give any side in the world a good game, although they do have difficulty in putting five together for a Test match. In the one-day arena they have twice beaten South Africa and came within a whisker of beating Australia in Perth earlier this year. And the Indian tourists will not need reminding of what happened in the one-off Test in Harare in 1998/99 season.The problem is that nobody can be quite sure whether Zimbabwe will be good or bad. Team selection has caused problems with morale this season, as was seen against New Zealand, and there will doubtless be further discontent among the players who feel that their best team is not being selected.Zimbabwe have their usual middle-order batting line-up of Stuart Carlisle, Alistair Campbell, Andy Flower and Grant Flower, with Guy Whittall opening the innings again. Dion Ebrahim, despite his failures for the CFX Academy against the tourists, is given another chance, but he is not a natural opening batsman and appears far from confident. Gavin Rennie, who scored 130 runs in his last Test match, has been made twelfth man.In the bowling department, left-arm swing bowler Bryan Strang has again been overlooked, making it more difficult for the Zimbabwe attack to put the brakes on the rampant Indian batting. Heath Streak will be backed up by Brighton Watambwa, who made a promising debut against Bangladesh; unpredictable all-rounder Andy Blignaut; and Travis Friend, who is expected to make his Test debut. With all due respect, none has the experience or ability to tie up an end that Strang has so often shown.There is a surprise in the choice of spin bowler. Leg-spinner Brian Murphy played against Bangladesh in Bulawayo, only to be dropped in Harare, and his replacement, left-arm spinner Raymond Price, bowled superbly to take seven wickets. Now Price has been dropped and Murphy reinstated.The weather is likely to be cool and clear, and the Queens Sports Club pitch has a reputation for quality. Against Bangladesh it had more grass than usual, but was rather on the slow side and did not help the seamers unduly. It could well play the same this time.The match may hinge on how well the Indian batsmen cope with Heath Streak and his fellow seamers, and whether there is enough bounce in the pitch to disturb them. Streak’s fellow destroyer of the last tour, Henry Olonga, still not in best form or fitness, has been omitted, and his replacements, although talented, are probably not capable of shattering the powerful Indian line-up.Assuming the Indian batting continues its all-conquering path, the bowlers will then have to dismiss Zimbabwe twice to win the match, and in Srinath and Harbhajan they have potential match-winners for most conditions. Zimbabwe will need to be on the top of their form, combined with peak mental toughness and confidence, to match their visitors. It appears unlikely, but Zimbabwe can never quite be written off.

According to a report from Portuguese newspaper A Bola (via Sport Witness), Tottenham Hotspur are among the clubs interested in signing Benfica striker Darwin Nunez. 

The lowdown: Huge interest

Already being indexed as one of the major movers in the upcoming summer transfer window by reputable journalist Fabrizio Romano, the 22-year-old is expected to attract an abundance of interest as a “big name” in the market.

Clubs from across the continent have been linked with the Benfica hotshot and a move away from the Primeira Liga seems inevitable at the end of the season.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/tottenham-latest-news-copy/” title=”Tottenham latest developments!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Amidst links elsewhere to Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez, it certainly seems as if Fabio Paratici wants to sign a striker for Antonio Conte, and now Spurs are named amongst the leading contenders to bring the Uruguay international to the Premier League.

The latest: Lilywhites named

As per the Portuguese source, translated by SW, Tottenham, West Ham and Manchester United are all in the mix to land Nunez.

Serie A title-holders Inter Milan are also cited as being interested in the eight-cap Uruguay star, who recently fired Benfica into the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals with a goal against Ajax.

It’s claimed that the Eagles will hold out for bids in the region of €60million (£50million) for their prized asset – way short of a €150million (£126million) release clause.

The verdict: Star signing

Albeit an expensive transfer at the mooted figures, few strikers in Europe can boast the scintillating form shown by Nunez this season.

At present, the Uruguayan is firmly in the race for the European Golden Boot with 20 league goals this season.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Tipped to become ‘the best in the world’ by Jorge Jesus, Nunez has enjoyed a rapid rise to prominence and Paratici could truly add a superstar in the making to Conte’s squad with this capture.

Valued at £36million and under contract until 2025 (Transfermarkt), signing the dynamic frontman at almost any price to partner with Harry Kane would surely be regarded as a superb piece of business.

In other news: Tottenham sets sights on a highly-rated EFL starlet! Find out more here.

Otago took the opening honours in the first match of this year’s shield on Saturday, beating Canterbury by a mere three runs at Alexandra.Derek de Boorder topscored for the home side with 52 not out as they reached 225 for 8. Canterbury got off to a slow start but were given hope through half-centuries from Kruger Van Wyk, Andrew Ellis and Chris Harris but ultimately came up short.Sunday saw a record-breaking match at Eden Park. Rob Nicol and Richard Jones both struck centuries in an Auckland record stand of 242 to take the state to its highest one-day score of 342 for 5. Jones and Nicol came together in the 12th over to boost the total Northern Districts were gutsy in reply, reaching their second highest score of 306 for 8. BJ Watling and Mark Orchard both made fifties, but were ultimately unsuccessful.Stephen Fleming and Neal Parlane put on a century stand to register a comfortable six-wicket win forWellington against Central Districts in Wellington.Fleming reached 88, while Parlane was 94 not out as Wellington went past the visitors’ 256 with ten overs to spare. Geoff Barnett topscored for CD with 75.

Team	Mat	Won	Lost	Tied	N/R	Pts	Net RR	For	Against
Wellington	1	1	0	0	0	5	+1.409	259/39.4	256/50.0
Auckland	1	1	0	0	0	4	+0.700	341/50.0	306/50.0
Otago	1	1	0	0	0	4	+0.060	225/50.0	222/50.0
Canterbury	1	0	1	0	0	0	-0.060	222/50.0	225/50.0
Northern Dis	1	0	1	0	0	0	-0.700	306/50.0	341/50.0
Central Dist	1	0	1	0	0	0	-1.409	256/50.0	259/39.4

‘They can’t be fearful of facing world stars’ © Getty Images

Michael Vaughan, the England captain, has urged his young side to show fearlessness and to use their inexperience as a positive factor, as England prepare for the World Cup.”A young team can sometimes be surprising,” Vaughan told a news conference ahead of the tournament’s opening ceremony on Sunday at Sabina Park. “They can sometimes have no fear. I see that in some of the young players — they don’t fear many situations and that is exactly what they will have to be like in the next few weeks.”They can’t be fearful of facing world stars, they have to be really excited about the challenge ahead of them.”Vaughan, more than anyone in the England set-up, has been instrumental in opening up team debates to all members of his squad and not, as in pervious regimes, relying on age as the prerequisite for a valid opinion or tactic.”We have an environment where not necessarily the oldest player in the squad comes up with the best idea,” he said. “Who is to say that the youngest guy in the squad doesn’t have the best idea? Maybe he hasn’t the experience of the guys who have played more games but sometimes fresh is best.”It will be the likes of myself, Andrew and Paul who have played World Cups to pass on a bit of knowledge but we haven’t had success in World Cups.”Something that we are trying to accommodate within the team is to have an open voice and the young players in St. Vincent certainly gave a lot of input to the team in the way that they spoke,” he said. “It is down to the team to think on their feet – that is the kind of team that we have tried to create.”An “open” management style alone won’t be sufficient to win the World Cup, however. Though England beat Bermuda in their first warm-up last week, it preceded an under-par effort against Australia who beat them convincingly by 5 wickets. Their opening encounter is no less tough, facing New Zealand at St Lucia on Friday.”It is looking a big game,” he said. “We know New Zealand are a tough team and in recent tournaments they have always been there or thereabouts towards the end of it. They have a vast amount of experience and knowledge.”If we turn up and get our performance right and preparation right we can match any team in the world on that given day. It is about getting that performance right on that day. I do think the tournament is wide open. One-day cricket is a real momentum game and anything can happen.”

End of the road for Sourav Ganguly? © Getty Images

Sourav Ganguly has been left out of India’s 15-man squad for the first Test against England, while VRV Singh, the Punjab fast bowler, and Piyush Chawla, the young legspinner from Uttar Pradesh, have been included. Wasim Jaffer, who produced an impressive 48 for the Indian Board President’s XI at Vadodara today, retained his place in the squad.”Sourav’s exclusion was a decision based on performance and keeping in mind the future of the team,” Kiran More, the chairman of the selection committee, told the media. “He has been a good performer for India, but we are trying to bring in youth.”The 17-year-old Chawla has played in just nine first-class games but his sparkling performances in the Under-19 World Cup, 13 wickets at 12.15, would have strengthened his case. The selectors decided to pick four fast bowlers – Irfan Pathan, Rudra Pratap Singh, Sreesanth and VRV Singh. “We have to look to the future. We have four very good fast bowlers who have performed well, but injuries can happen at any time, so having good back-up is essential,” More said when summing up the selectors’ decision. “Sreesanth has done well in Pakistan, and so he was included, and Irfan and RP have done well, as you have seen. Vikram is a good prospect.””Wasim is a fine batsman, he has done well for India and on the domestic circuit,” More added. “It was hard to leave him out.”Commenting on the absence of Munaf Patel, who impressed against the England XI with 5 for 59 today, More maintained that he would get plenty of chances in the coming year. “Munaf bowled very well, but we decided on Vikram,” More said. “Munaf will get more chances in the coming year, as will Gautam Gambhir. The India A team has important tours coming up, and all will get their chances.”As expected, Yuvraj Singh was unavailable due to an thigh injury sustained in the final one-day international in Pakistan.Team
Wasim Jaffer, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid (capt) Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Mohammad Kaif, Suresh Raina, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), Irfan Pathan, Piyush Chawla, Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble, Sreesanth, Rudra Pratap Singh, VRV Singh

Daniel Vettori: rewarded for carrying the New Zealand bowling attack© Getty Images

Daniel Vettori has been named New Zealand’s player of the year at their annual awards ceremony. He has been fighting a lone battle over the winter, as New Zealand’s bowling attack has fallen to pieces, but has managed to emerge from the wreckage with 42 wickets at 27 apiece in Tests, and 22 at 20 apiece in ODI’s.During the recent carnage caused by Adam Gilchrist, Vettori has been the only bowler Stephen Fleming has shown any confidence in. It was the same situation in the two Tests played in Australia during November. Martin Sneddon, chief executive of New Zealand cricket said: “His bowling has been superb and he has also continued to show real ability with the bat and has emerged as a leader both on and off the field."Vettori’s successful year comes despite a poor Test series in England, when he only managed four wickets in two matches, before missing the third Test with injury. His figures where boosted by 20 wickets against Bangladesh, including his best haul for the period, 6 for 28 at Dhaka. But it is not just the wickets he brings to Fleming, but the control. He rarely concedes more than 2.5 runs per over in Tests and is also miserly in ODI’s. In the Natwest Series final against West Indies he took five for 30, as New Zealand registered their high point of the year.His batting continues to grow in stature, to the extent that he often proves more troublesome to remove than the top-order, and he proved an able captain when he stood in for Fleming during the one-day series in Bangladesh – if Fleming’s trials and tribulations continue a permanent elevation may not be far away.The other bright spot for New Zealand has been the rise of Hamish Marshall, and his batting success, cumulating in a maiden Test century against Australia at Christchurch, has been recognised with the batting award, while Craig Cumming was named State player of the year.Awards
Daniel Vettori
Hamish Marshall
Craig Cumming
Nic Browne
Haidee Tiffen
Rebecca Steele
Merv Wallace

The former Australian batsman David Hookes, who is now Victoria’s coach, launched a stinging attack on Sourav Ganguly after the Indians’ tour opener against Victoria at the MCG petered out in stalemate.Hookes blamed Ganguly for the dullness of the game, claiming that a pre-match agreement between the two sides was ignored by Ganguly once he had won the toss. According to Hookes, the two sides had agreed to bat 70 overs each in their first innings.But after the toss, Hookes said that Ganguly told him: "It’s our first day on the tour, we should just bat." Hookes went on: “So once he went well past that and his tailenders didn’t bat properly, I thought ‘bugger it’ – we were pretty annoyed."They didn’t learn to play cricket. It was a staggering approach. They treated the game as a net session." He added that if the Indians adopted the same approach in their next warm-up match – against Queensland – then they would go into the first Test short on meaningful practice.”You need that game of cricket leading into a Test and they have not had a game of cricket – they’ve had an extended, glorified centre-wicket practice,” he said. “If they treat the Queensland game like a glorified centre-wicket game, then they are, in the words of Brad Hodge, ‘nowhere’.”Ganguly refused to be drawn into a row, saying that it was "up to Victoria" how they played the match. “Obviously Brad [Hodge] is trying to find a place in the Test side," he explained. "I believe they were playing a bit for him, that’s how it goes. That’s what you get these days because the itinerary is so tight. You’ve got to make the most of what you get.”

The Matabeleland selectors have finalized the side to play Mashonaland this weekend, leaving Jason Hitz out of the named 13 with Munir Makadam as 12th man. The team has not as yet been announced. The decision to omit Jason Hitz from the 13 is rather harsh as he was twelfth man for the whole of last season and attended every practice; his batting has improved through the current season beyond all recognition, anda better team man is hard to find.It is always pleasing to see new caps and youngsters being given a chance but it may well prove costly in the batting, with new cap Norman Mukondiwa having not only to prove his bowling skills but also to show he is capable of batting and seeing his team through to a good score which is of utmost importance in the four-day game. Matabeleland have a reasonable bowling line up and, should the bowlers perform to standard, be capable of holding their own against a weakenedMashonaland side.Townshend, who has been bowling well recently will share the new ball with new cap Mupariwa, with Mukondiwa, McKillop and Strydom providing the seam attack and the spinners, Ewing and Mercury, doing most of the bowling if Matabeleland are unable to dismiss the opposition for a reasonable score.It has been very hot in Bulawayo for this time of the year, temperatures being far higher than normal, 32-36 degrees and no rain, so a fast outfield and a batting-friendly wicket could well be the order of the day. Following a further practice, and discussions on the composition of the team, it was decided to change the lineup and include Jason Hitz, omitting Norman Mukandiwa, which adds some batting strength to the tail.Player profilesTawanda Mupariwa – born 16/4/85, Bulawayo. RAFM. BAC.Michael Grant McKillop – born 24/4/81, Bulawayo. RHB/RM. BAC. Zimbabwe HockeyMunir Mukadam – born 15/2/1983, Bulawayo. RHB/RHM. CrescentsCollin Ray (Porgie) Williams – born Bulawayo. RHB. BAC. Has played Matabeleland prior to first class status for Matabeleland. Zimbabwe Hockey and National Coach.Gavin Mackie Ewing – born 21/01/81, Harare. RAOS/RHB. Queens. Zimbabwe U19, Liverpool Comp UK.