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Shaun Tait, the Australian fast bowler, has been added to the squad as a standby for Sunday’s fifth ODI against Pakistan

Cricinfo staff30-Jan-2010Shaun Tait, the Australian fast bowler, has been added to the squad as a standby for Sunday’s fifth ODI against Pakistan. The last-minute call-up is due to Peter Siddle’s continuing back problem and gives Tait a chance to play his first international match in a year.”Peter Siddle is still being troubled the back pain which kept him out of the third match of the series in Adelaide,” Australia’s physiotherapist, Alex Kountouris, said. “As such he is in doubt for tomorrow’s fifth ODI and therefore another fast bowler has been included as a standby player.”Tait also had a series of injury problems, due to which he has focused only on limited-overs matches for South Australia so far this summer. During an eventful winter he was prevented from playing in the IPL by Cricket Australia, who didn’t originally offer him a contract but handed one out when Andrew Symonds’ deal was terminated.”Shaun Tait at his best is a destructive fast bowler in both limited-over and Twenty20 cricket,” Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of the national selection panel, said. “He has progressed well this season and performed well in both the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash and the recent Ford Ranger game against New South Wales in Wollongong and we are sure he will be ready should he be required for tomorrow’s match.”With Clint McKay and Ryan Harris adapting to international cricket well, and Mitchell Johnson waiting for his first one-dayer of the summer, Tait’s chances of getting a game are slim.

It’s no surprise that Chris Gayle can play like this – he’s been doing similar things for a decade

Brydon Coverdale at the WACA17-Dec-2009This is not the story of the Hauricane. It’s the story of the Gayle that engulfed the Hauricane. Chris Gayle said during the week that batting against Nathan Hauritz was like facing himself and now it’s clear exactly what he thinks of his own bowling. The six that Gayle struck off Hauritz that took him into the 90s was probably the biggest ever seen in an international at the WACA.The Lillee-Marsh Stand has five tiers and Gayle reached the top of them all, landing the ball on the roof and roughly 110 metres from where it started. The crashing noise when it hit the tin roof was so loud that the crowd’s cheers couldn’t drown it out. The ball rolled into a gutter and was recovered by a cameraman but could just as easily have bounced out onto Hay Street.What is it about the WACA? Three of the six fastest hundreds in Tests have been at the venue, which is far from the smallest ground in the world. There was Roy Fredericks’ 71-ball effort in 1975-76 and Adam Gilchrist’s 57-ball Ashes blitz three years ago, not to mention Mark Waugh’s near-century 12 years ago when he launched Daniel Vettori onto the same roof in what can be Gayle’s only competitor for the biggest stroke at the ground.It was one of six sixes in Gayle’s 102 – another in Hauritz’s next over brought up the fifth-fastest hundred in Test history – and was easily the most memorable moment in an unforgettable innings. It had some competition: there was a nonchalant flick off his pads and onto the hill off Doug Bollinger and a pair of consecutive sixes off Hauritz at precisely the moment that the WACA president Dennis Lillee was praising Gayle as the state’s star Twenty20 signing for this season.Perhaps the most amazing thing about the shot was that he said it wasn’t his biggest six – not by a long way. Most players could try for their entire career and never hit the WACA roof but Gayle was nonplussed. Earlier this year he launched a rocket off Jeetan Patel into some poor Napier resident’s backyard in a one-day international against New Zealand and he is certain that six was bigger than this Perth missile.”I have hit balls further than that before,” he said. “I don’t think that one went too far, to be honest with you. I just stroked it a bit. It wasn’t muscle or anything, just timing. A good bat, so you have to take that into consideration as well.”It’s no surprise that Gayle can play like this – he’s been doing similar things for a decade. What was more unexpected was his subdued, patient 165 at the Adelaide Oval last week. The two contrasting innings showed a real maturity in Gayle. In Adelaide he knew that he had to hold off Australia’s bowlers and accumulate a big lead for his team; here he was aware that they needed to win to level the series and quick runs were the best way to overcome Australia’s 520.For a man who said last year that he wouldn’t be sad if Test cricket disappeared, he has enjoyed the format over the past 12 months, with 949 runs at 59.31 and five centuries. His captaincy is often criticised and his laid-back approach irks some more proactive former skippers, but when Gayle reached his century and knelt on the ground, bowing to his colleagues in the dressing-rooms, it was clear that theirs were the only opinions that mattered to him.”I praised my team-mates, each and every one,” Gayle said. “There has been speculation published and so forth and I have the support of them. I really acknowledge and respect that. Being captain, I think it changed me a bit more and also you have to take into consideration I’m getting a bit more mature as well, getting to know my game a bit more.”He was frustrated at getting out to a soft shot soon afterward for 102, when he spooned Bollinger straight to point, but by that stage he had given his team and the fans 104 minutes of bliss. He’d also taken 32 off 19 balls he faced against Hauritz. Finally, the Hauricane damage was complete.

Amid a wretched start to the Premier League season, Leeds United will be hoping to pick up their first win of the top-flight campaign when they take on Watford at Elland Road this afternoon.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side have yet to pick up all three points in their opening six encounters, with a mixture of poor form, injuries and a real lack of goals hurting their cause big time.

The Whites have been boosted by the returns of a couple of players ahead of the clash against the Hornets but will once again be missing a couple of key performers, including the likes of Patrick Bamford and Luke Ayling.

With that in mind, here is a look at how Leeds might line up when they face Watford at Elland Road.

In goal, Illan Meslier will be hoping to keep his first clean sheet of the Premier League season having already conceded 14 goals thus far – that record is the joint-second worst in the division, with only bottom club Norwich faring worse.

The defence should see the return of the fit-again Diego Llorente, and while it would be a harsh call to leave out youngster Charlie Cresswell, Bielsa will surely opt for the more experienced Spaniard to marshal the rearguard alongside Liam Cooper.

In midfield, the trio of Kalvin Phillips, Stuart Dallas and Mateusz Klich should all start once again following their appearances against West Ham last time out.

However, Bielsa could make another bold call out wide by dropping summer signing Dan James to the bench and bringing Jack Harrison back into the fold – the former Manchester City man came on at the break against the Hammers. The Welshman was ineffective in that game, completing just five passes and having a mere eight touches before being replaced by Harrison.

Up front, Rodrigo should once again start in that false nine role, with Patrick Bamford confirmed to be missing from action for the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, Beren Cross has shared a Leeds United transfer update…

Currently playing for Middlesex since joining them 2007, the left-arm spinner has signed a one-year contract with Somerset

Cricinfo staff22-Sep-2009Murali Kartik, the Indian left-arm spinner, has signed up with Somerset as their overseas player for the 2010 season. Currently playing for Middlesex, whom he joined them 2007, Kartik has signed a one-year contract with Somerset.Kartik, 33, said it was a fantastic opportunity for him. “It’s a new challenge for a player like me who has been playing first class cricket in England for the last five seasons,” Kartik told the Somerset website. “I know it is not an Old Trafford or Lord’s wicket, because I’ve played here before and it is a different challenge to me. As an international spinner when you have been playing for a long time you like to challenge yourself on wickets like that.””Somerset have been vying for honours for the last two years [and] I think I probably add a new dimension to their attack. I love the challenge of playing county cricket and coming out and playing on different sorts of wickets.”Brian Rose, Somerset’s director of cricket, said Kartik’s inclusion would bolster their bid to win the Championship. “The key for me has been looking at the way our cricket has gone over the last two to three years,” he said. “We have come up from the second division into the first and been very competitive but in terms of winning the Championship we need to have really good all-round bowlers.”We have got two bowlers who can potentially get 50 wickets each and with Kartik we have got another who can get 50-60 plus, and to win championships you have to have the depth of bowling. Particularly bowling at Taunton you must have variety and several times over the last couple of years we have reached the end game in two and a half days and spent the rest of the time trying to bowl sides out purely with seam.”Kartik has picked up 475 first-class wickets at 26.16, including 33 this season. He also has 24 wickets at 34.16 in eight Tests and 37 wickets at 43.56 in 37 ODIs.

Gloucestershire have released Steve Adshead, the wicketkeeper-batsman

Cricinfo staff26-Oct-2009Gloucestershire have released Steve Adshead, the wicketkeeper-batsman.Adshead, 29, first signed a one-year contract with the side in 2006 after representing Worcestershire, the county of his birth. Before that he was on the Leicestershire staff 2000 to 2002 and played one first-class match in 2000 and a handful of one-day games. He played 70 of his 73 first-class games for Gloucestershire, scoring 3077 runs at 32.05 with three centuries.”I have really enjoyed my time at Gloucestershire and am sad to leave,” said Adshead. “I’d like to thank everyone at the club for their support”.John Bracewell, Gloucestershire’s director of cricket, said: “It is unfortunate to release Steve as he has performed very well for the 1st team this year. We must continue to strengthen the squad at every opportunity. We wish Steve every success and know that he will continue to prove to be a professional of the highest standard.”

Marcelo Bielsa will stay put as Leeds United manager and overcome this current tricky period, according to ex-Whites defender Danny Mills.

The Lowdown: Bielsa’s future questioned

The Argentine has been an incredible manager for the Whites, taking them back into the Premier League and being adored by supporters at the same time.

Leeds have made a poor start to this season, however, and there have been some reports claiming Bielsa could potentially leave before his contract expires next summer.

[freshpress-quiz id=“375277″]

The Latest: Mills provides key verdict

Speaking to Football Insider, however, Mills is in no doubt that Bielsa will at least see out his current deal at Elland Road, saying he will come good again when key players return to the team:

“He will put himself under more pressure than anybody else. That’s what it comes down to first and foremost. That’s all he’ll be concerned about. We’ve seen before that he’s not massively bothered about outside influences.

“All he wants to do is to improve his teams and improve his players. He’ll be absolutely desperate to do that. I don’t think he’s concerned about outside influences in the slightest.  I don’t think it’s a case of walking away.

“Luke Ayling’s missing as well. At the moment you’re looking at four of your best players not being available. If you do that to any team, we saw what happened with Liverpool last season.

“They’re some of the best players in the squad and that’s going to make it very, very difficult, no matter who you are.”

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The Verdict: Too loyal to leave

This has been a testing start to the campaign for Leeds, but Bielsa is not the type of character to go against his word and suddenly leave the club.

Mills is correct in comparing Leeds to Liverpool last season, in terms of the team struggling badly with a host of big names unavailable.

Once the likes of Luke Ayling, Kalvin Phillips and Patrick Bamford are back in the fold regularly, there should be a positive change on the pitch.

Whether or not Bielsa stays beyond this season remains to be seen, but it would be a big shock if he left midway through it.

In other news, one Leeds player could reportedly be back for an upcoming game. Find out who it is here.

Many Glasgow Rangers fans have been left blasting the display of Kemar Roofe in their 2-2 draw at home to Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership.

An Alfredo Morelos goal and a late James Tavernier penalty were enough to give the Light Blues a point in the end after being 2-0 down through goals from Christian Ramirez and Scott Brown.

A striker by trade, Roofe was asked to play a wide role by Steven Gerrard at Ibrox, but was largely a ghost throughout, recording a mere 20 touches of the ball in total, fewer than goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin (SofaScore).

The Jamaica international also lost out on two of his duels and failed to record a single shot on target, as he was hauled off in the 77th minute for Fashion Sakala (SofaScore).

Rangers fans on Roofe display

These Teddy Bears supporters blasted his performance on Twitter, with a couple of Gers even going as far as to claim that he was ‘anonymous’:

“Play Patterson further forward. Roofe was terrible tonight – very poor. Hagi needs to play centrally for me.”

Credit: @L41RD_

“I actually forgot Roofe was playing”

Credit: @JJ271099319

“Roofe was so bad tonight and Wright should be in the starting 11”

Credit: @bIadeefan69

“Roofe has been anonymous”

Credit: @__Scobra__

“Aribo, Hagi, Roofe, Kamara all anonymous”

Credit: @Aaron_mone

“What does Roofe do?”

Credit: @knocks_john

In other news, find out whose display against Aberdeen was also slammed here!

Afghanistan and Sierra Leone have failed to secure visas for their players for the forthcoming Under-19 World Cup Qualifiers in Canada. With the tournament getting underway on September 1, there is increasing likelihood that both teams will miss their ope

Cricinfo staff30-Aug-2009Afghanistan and Sierra Leone have failed to secure visas for their players for the forthcoming Under-19 World Cup Qualifiers in Canada. With the tournament getting underway on September 1, there is increasing likelihood that both teams will miss their opening matches to blight their chances of qualification for the 2010 Under-19 World Cup.Cricinfo understands that Sierra Leone’s applications were made to the wrong office of Canada’s governmental immigration department. The new applications are now being processed, but there is still a race against time to have them ready in time for the opening round of matches.”All stakeholders, including the ICC itself, continue to do whatever they can to have these visas issued as soon as possible,” read a statement by the ICC, “but it is clear that either or both of these teams may now not arrive in time for their first match.”If either team does not arrive for its match in round one (Tuesday 1 September), round two (Wednesday 2 September) or round three (Friday 4 September), that match or matches will be treated as ‘abandoned’ under the playing conditions and therefore re-scheduled to be played on the relevant reserve day of the event (taking into account any other abandoned matches that may occur through rain or other reasons).”Should either team be absent or unavailable to play on the reserve day, the match will be forfeited. And if either side fails to be present for the fourth round of matches, starting on Saturday September 5, their participation in the tournament will be withdrawn.”All boards are aware of their obligations in securing visas for their traveling parties to events and while the ICC assists in every way within our powers, ultimately the boards are responsible for this process in conjunction with the government or embassy of the host nation,” said David Thorley, tournament director and chairman of the event technical committee.”However, ultimately the main aim of this tournament is to make sure the best six cricket teams qualify for the ICC Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand and we are content this decision allows that to happen while not inconveniencing the other sides unduly.”

An update has emerged on Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce, regarding his future at St. James’ Park…

What’s the talk?

Daily Mail journalist Craig Hope has dropped a fresh update on the future of the 60-year-old following PIF’s recent takeover of the club.

“Amanda Staveley says NUFC owners have [the] ambition to match superpowers like Man City & PSG.

“Also: Bruce set to be replaced, with owners ready to settle £8m payoff, Rodgers among names mentioned. Shearer/Keegan contacted with view to ambassadorial roles.” he tweeted.

Hope’s report claims that the new owners, who have taken over from Mike Ashley, are poised to relieve Bruce of his duties and pay him the £8m required to end his contract early, which would be an exceptional return from Your Bonus Code.

Delight

This development from Hope will surely leave Newcastle fans feeling delighted for more than one reason.

Firstly, it means that Bruce is set to leave Tyneside after a difficult spell in charge of the club, with the ex-Sunderland and Villa coach far from loved in some sections of the fanbase.

A recent survey by the Newcastle United Supporters Trust found that 94.3% of the fans wanted Bruce to resign as manager, with 95.3% of fans believing that the club will be relegated this season.

The latter statistic may change following the takeover and the potential change of manager, although NUST will need to produce another survey to accurately realise that prediction.

This suggests that fans will be delighted, in the main, that Bruce is on the verge of being sacked.

The owners are showing an immediate intent to make changes at St. James’ Park and their willingness to part ways with £8m within days of arriving to sack the 60-year-old is a signal of intent from a footballing and financial standpoint.

Supporters could also be buzzing with this news because of what it means post-Bruce.

Once his exit is confirmed, should this report prove to be accurate, then Newcastle will be in the market for a new head coach under an ambitious new regime and that could be an exciting prospect for fans to look forward to in the coming weeks.

Irrespective of who they get in to replace Bruce, the decision to let him go appears to be a shrewd one on paper. Newcastle are currently 19th in the Premier League and winless after seven matches, with Norwich – who have lost six of their seven games – the only team with fewer points than the Magpies.

No team has conceded more goals than Newcastle and this dreadful start to the campaign has shown no signs of getting better in recent matches. This, along with the feeling amongst the fanbase towards Bruce, is why this decision by PIF could be an excellent one.

AND in other news, “An early casualty”: Reliable journo drops NUFC takeover claim, fans will be ecstatic…

Ange Postecoglou has witnessed some vibrant moments from his team since he became the new manager of Celtic but there is no escaping that the 2021/22 season is, so far, their worst in 23 years.

After six matches, the Hoops sit on just nine points, seven fewer than they had after as many games last term.

Neil Lennon eventually resigned from his position after such a torrid beginning in 2020/21 but Postecoglou feels like he’s here for the long haul.

Celtic’s home form has been outstanding at times but they still need to work on grinding results out on the road. At the moment, they are yet to win away from home in the league under the new manager.

Fortunately, they’ll be playing at Parkhead on Sunday when Dundee United come to visit.

But how could the Bhoys line up? Here’s what we’re predicting…

We are tipping the boss to make just three changes to the team that beat Raith Rovers 3-0 so comfortably in the League Cup a few days ago.

Two of the changes will come in defence where Anthony Ralston and Adam Montgomery are axed from the full-back positions.

We have championed the idea of Montgomery starting on the left but anticipate Boli Bolingoli to be given a successive league start after he returned against Livingston a week ago.

It would be a bold call to give him another chance but with Greg Taylor out for 12 matches, they don’t exactly have too many options.

On the right, summer signing Josip Juranovic is preferred after he was dropped from the XI versus Raith Rovers.

The final alteration is in the middle of the park where James McCarthy is given the boot. The Irishman has copped some serious flack over the last week after earning his first two starts.

He hasn’t performed particularly well, especially against Livingston a week ago. McCarthy didn’t provide a single piece of positive play in the final third and also lost the ball on 15 occasions.

Consequently, £12.5k-per-week Ismaila Soro takes his place in the side with Callum McGregor still out injured.

Kyogo Furuhashi, James Forrest and Mikey Johnston have also been ruled out of the clash with fitness concerns.

AND in other news, 5ft9 dud should have no future left at Celtic, Sutton dubbed him a “new Ryan Christie”…