Tag Futebol

South Africans 286 for 5 dec and 224 for 7 dec (McKenzie 49*, Hamilton 4-67) drew with Central Districts 239 for 6 dec and 195 for 8 (Englefield 53*)
ScorecardA stubborn 50-run stand for the eighth wicket allowed Central Districts to draw their three-day match against the South Africans. Requiring 272 for a victory, Central Districts slumped to 129 for 7 before Jarrod Englefield, who finished with an unbeaten 53, and Andrew Schwass (37), came together to deny the South Africans.Earlier, Neil McKenzie made a strong case for selection for the first Test with his second unbeaten innings of the match. McKenzie, who had notched up 100 not out in the first innings, remained undefeated on 49 as the South Africans declared their second innings on 224 for 7. The other encouraging performances for them came from Nicky Boje, who made 46, and David Terbrugge, who took 3 for 29 in Central Districts’ second innings to finish with match figures of 5 for 60.The first Test starts at Hamilton on March 10.

Keith Parsons, who has played such a major part in Somerset’s successful run in the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy over the past two years is now back in full training at the County Ground and looking forward to the new season.When I caught up with him during a break from his practice he told me: "Things are going really well for me at the moment which is very pleasing. After struggling with my knee for much of last season and then having my operation in the autumn it feels good to be back in full training.""I’m working hard on my batting in the nets and trying to improve my footwork to give myself a little more time. I start bowling again in the next few days and I am hoping that the orthotic insoles that I have started to wear will help me," he told me.The popular all rounder who will be thirty in May has been a vital part of the Cidermen’s success in the premier one day competition, which saw them lift the C and G Trophy in 2001 to break the eighteen year trophy famine.Last season, despite being relegated in both the County Championship and the National League Parsons was the leading run scorer at the club in one day cricket and his contributions with both bat and ball helped to get the side through to the C and G final at Lord’s again, where on the day they were disappointingly beaten by Yorkshire.What was he hoping for in 2003 I asked. " Obviously for the team we have got to be looking to get promotion and there is no reason why we shouldn’t be able to achieve that. Promotion is a new challenge for many of us and on paper we should be good enough to achieve it in both competitions."He continued: "For myself, in one day cricket I want to continue in the way that I have over the last few seasons where I have done pretty well to help us to win matches. If I look back there haven’t been many games where I haven’t scored at least 30 or 40 runs and taken wickets. If we win games and I have contributed then I will be happy."What about the championship I asked. "I suppose last season that I averaged a few less than I would have liked but I still feel confident that I can do a job for Somerset batting at number five, bowling and taking wickets and getting my catches in the slips. Last season I scored most runs in one day cricket so this season I’d like to be the leading run scorer in the four day game," he told me

Another day of batting domination at Derby saw the home side make their highest score for three years to claim a first innings lead.Karl Krikken made 93 and was given good support by the tail as Derbyshire celebrated maximum batting points for the first time this season.Notts lost Darren Bicknell before they had wiped out Derbyshire’s 46 run advantage and Guy Welton also fell before the close when the visitors were 131-2, a lead of 85.So far, a pitch which has offered very little for the bowlers has yielded 1,229 runs for 22 wickets and unless the teams can contrive something tomorrow, it is hard to see anything other than a draw.The fact that Derbyshire’s last four wickets added 191 runs indicated how easy batting was and after Graeme Welch and Nathan Dumelow had shared stands of 44 and 45, Paul Aldred piled on the frustration for Notts.He scored 35 out of a partnership of 92 in 26 overs for the ninth wicket before he edged Usman Afzaal to slip and Derbyshire’s 572 equalled the fifth highest total in the county’s history.Welton hit two sixes and six fours in his fifty before he was bowled playing around a ball from Welch but Greg Blewett was still there on 39 with the promise of plenty more runs to come on the final day.

SkyBet have Southampton as the 2/1 favourites to sign Middlesbrough centre-back Ben Gibson in this summer’s transfer window.

Everton are believed to have turned to Gibson after cooling their interest in Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles.

The Toffees are the second-favourites to sign the 25-year-old, but if the bookmakers are to be believed, Gibson will join Southampton if he leaves Boro in this summer’s transfer window.

Southampton seemingly have big plans this summer after managing to stay in the Premier League last season, and Mark Hughes is staying on as head coach.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”253288″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch The 8 most likeable players in the Premier League”]

Barcelona forward Paco Alcacer is amongst those to be linked with St Mary’s, but there is no question that the club are in need of some reinforcements at the back following the sale of Virgil van Dijk during the January transfer window.

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.

The Southampton fans have been reacting to the speculation surrounding Gibson, and it would be fair to say that they have some mixed opinions.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

	Dwayne Bravo could not prevent a West Indies defeat despite a bright 83 © AFP

Mahela Jayawardene praised his bowlers as they wrapped up an historic first Test win in the West Indies with only 16 minutes remaining on the final day. Chaminda Vaas led the march with 5 for 61 as the hosts were dismissed 121 short of their unlikely target of 437.”We had a challenge when we came and that was to win a Test match in the West Indies and we have achieved that,” Jayawardene said. “We played hard and a lot of guys contributed. It was an amazing effort from Vaas and our quicks took 13 wickets in the Test, so a lot of credit to them. Murali bowled his heart out and overall it was a very good team effort.”Jayawardene felt his day-four declaration gave West Indies a hint of a chance and he was pleased when he saw aggression from the home batsmen. “We wanted them to play a few shots on this wicket because that’s how we could have created opportunities,” he said. “That’s why we gave them a target they could have achieved, rather than giving them 500 when they would have been in a very defensive frame of mind.”The move eventually paid off, but the scenario became more difficult during the 134-run, second-wicket partnership between Dwayne Bravo and Ramnaresh Sarwan. Bravo, who was promoted to open instead of Chris Gayle, scored 83 while Sarwan picked up a cautious 72 before becoming the fifth to fall.”If they had batted till about tea it would have been a different story, we would have struggled,” Jayawardene said. “We managed to get Bravo before lunch and then Sarwan before tea, which were two crucial wickets, and in between we got Shiv [Chanderpaul].”Gayle entered at No. 6 and held firm, finishing with an unbeaten 51 and narrowly missing holding on for a draw. “Even though Chris was at one end, we knew we could put pressure on the other batsmen and see what would happen,” Jayawardene said. “Our guys bowled really well to pick up those wickets. In the last hour it could have been anyone’s game in the sense that they could have saved the game or we could have gotten the win. Once we got into that situation we knew we had to give everything.”With his side holding a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, Jayawardene said there was no chance of thinking about a draw in Port-of-Spain from April 3. “It’s important that we go for a win in the second match as well, that’s the way we play cricket,” he said. “That’s the attitude whether it is home or away.”

Cricket Kenya has confirmed that India A will tour Kenya in late July or early August to play two four-day matches as well as taking part in a one-day series which will involve at least one other country’s A team.The deal was brokered by Samir Inamdar, CK’s chairman, while he was in India attending the Afro-Asia Cup. Indian board officials told him that they were keen to attract another side to ensure there was a high level of competition.Sri Lanka have expressed an interest in visiting in August on their way home from England, although Pakistan have declined, explaining that their players have too many commitments. South Africa A are scheduled to tour Zimbabwe which rules both of those sides out, although India had indicated they were keen to have Zimbabwe take part.Inamdar told Cricinfo that he had also written to the West Indies board suggesting that if their A team does go ahead with their tour of Zimbabwe then they might consider stopping in Kenya on their way home. If, however, the tour is cancelled, then he has still offered to host West Indies outright.

Shane Warne: he’s still eyeing up the 2009 Ashes © OnEdition

England’s wounds have hardly had time to heal since their mauling inthe third Test against Sri Lanka, but Shane Warne believes that theywill only emerge stronger and tougher against Pakistan later thissummer. Speaking at the launch of his new poker website, PokerCricket.com, Warne said:”It’s the one series they’ve got before the Ashes so it will make alltheir players really hungry. I expect a very good showing.”Thoughts are already turning, of course, to this winter’s showdown inAustralia, and Warne hopes that Monty Panesar will be on the plane,despite mounting speculation that his fellow spinner won’t be able tocope with the crowd pressure.”If Monty keeps fielding like he has, I’m sure he’ll be a crowdfavourite in Australia.” But if Monty keeps fielding like he has -fluffing at will – he may not be much of a dressing-room favourite.Still, Warne believes Panesar has no option but to continue as he is.”The more you try and fight them, if you get upset with them, the moreit can actually affect you. You can have a joke with them and fun withthem.”If it’s not so surprising that Warne favours Panesar, what may come asa shock to English tacticians is his backing of another spin wizard:Merlyn, the bowling machine. Ominously, he claims that Merlyn – thevery machine designed to help English batsmen learn to combatWarne-like whirlers in last year’s Ashes – leaves him holding all theaces.”I think it helps me,” he revealed, “because it does these sillythings with balls that spin that far and people say ‘How do I playthat?’ and that helps me. So the more they use that the better Ireckon.”One thing he does say which will come as some comfort to the Englandline-up is that he has no plans to develop any new balls just now.”There’s nothing in the pipeline at the moment,” he said – but is thisjust a double bluff? Either way, he’s doubtless going to cause Englandenough problems come this winter – and beyond.He hasn’t yet ruled out playing in the 2009 series, as Richie Benaudrecently said he hoped he would do. Speaking of Benaud, thesilver-haired septuagenerian was the surprise choice for who Warne wouldlike to play him in the upcoming musical of his life.The work, imaginatively entitled Shane Warne: The Musical, iscurrently being penned by the Melbourne-based comic Eddie Perfect. Hehad been undecided whether to let Warne know or not, but news travelsfast and Warne already knew about it – and he’s not necessarilypleased.

Shane Warne: larger than life, and now a statue as well © Getty Images

“It depends on what sort of spin he wants to put on it, doesn’t it? Hecan be factual, he can not be factual. He can exaggerate it. I don’tknow, I haven’t thought it through whether I like it or don’t like it.But I don’t like it how people can do books on you … anyone can writea book on anyone, I don’t like that law. I don’t like that people cando things about your life without consent, I don’t think that’s fair.”Neither does he think the ticketing fiasco in Australia has worked outparticularly fairly, although he recognises the need for CricketAustralia to have put some policies into place, regardless of how theywere eventually executed. “There’s a 40,000 stadium – you don’t want35,000 Englishmen and 5,000 for Australia, it’s a home ground forEngland.”Not that he will take much notice when the Barmy Army start up. “Ithink because I’ve copped it so much, sledging doesn’t get to me. TheEnglish have got the best songs. Sometimes they overstep the mark butI think generally it’s maybe a bit of fun.”And fun is what it’s all about for Warne, who hasn’t ruled outappearing in the 2009 Ashes. “It’s all about enjoyment. If you enjoywhat you’re doing, keep doing it, if not it’s time to do somethingelse.”He has to retire at some point – and his poker venture will, he hopes,provide a business interest, but in the meantime, how many more Testvictims would he like to go with his 685 to date? How many is enough?”Never enough! Whatever it is in life, it’s never enough.”

Steve Tikolo: ‘If you fight for your rights, how does it become blackmail?’© Getty Images

The relationship between the Kenyan board (KCA) and the striking players, which has deteriorated all week, grew more hostile when Sharad Ghai, the board’s chairman, yesterday accused them of “blackmail”.Today, Steve Tikolo, the former Kenya captain, dismissed Ghai’s comments, maintaining that the players were only asking for what was rightfully theirs. “If you fight for your rights, how does it become blackmail?” he told the Nation newspaper. “What is wrong if we ask for job security just like any other human being? All we are asking is that the money owed to us in match fees and bonuses be paid – we have worked for it.”At the centre of the dispute are the contracts offered to many of the players. Most expired at the end of September, and whereas until recently the board has been using ICC money earmarked for development to pay wages, that practice has now ended at the insistence of the ICC. With no team sponsor for almost 18 months, the KCA has little money to honour salaries and so has had to limit itself to offering two-month contracts. “We need job security,” Tikolo argued. “We don’t need to used for two months and then dumped.”The players feel let down because they have already taken pay cuts as the board’s financial predicament has worsened. Tikolo disputed the salary figures given by Ghai, and claimed that in the last 13 months the highest-paid players had been receiving about half of what the board claims to have paid them. They also maintain that they are still owed win bonuses outstanding from the 2003 World Cup, and that there were suggestions that this might be withheld were they to strike.One other aspect of the walkout is that it has divided the team along racial lines. No Asian players have joined the strike and only one black player – Lameck Onyango – took the field today, but Tikolo said that there were no issues with those who had decided to play against Namibia. “They are our friends,” he explained, “and we have played with them for a long time.”That racial split was evident at the Aga Khan Club today where around 30 supporters staged a noisy protest calling for Ghai’s resignation. At one stage some Kenyan players were jeered and one onlooker said that he was not watching the full side but Kenya A. He quickly corrected himself: “Kenya Asians, I should say.”It was not as clear where the striking players stood with regard to the new players drafted in to fill their places. Earlier in the week Tikolo said he would be looking into suggestions that some might not be Kenyan passport-holders.The striking players Josephat Ababu, Joseph Angara, Jimmy Kamande, Alfred Luseno, David Obuya, Thomas Odoyo, Peter Ongondo, Francis Otieno, Kennedy Otieno, Maurice Ouma, Martin Suji, Tony Suji, Steve Tikolo.

On what went wrong today: A total of 335 ought to be a winning total, to be perfectly honest, on any surface against any batting side. They batted very well, but we also bowled poorly. We just have to sort our problems out very, very quickly.On what needs to be done to sort out the bowling: We have a young attack. Basically, it can just be sorted out through hard work and lots of practice.On Zaheer Khan’s performance (1 for 78 from 9 overs, 10 wides, 12 no-balls): It was his first big game back from injury. Quite obviously, he has to improve. Its always difficult bowling when you are being attacked. We have to have a Plan B, and discipline is a very good word. Our line and length was all over the place. The bowlers have to learn that we can’t have people going for 60 and 70 all the time when you are bowling under pressure.On the bright side: The only consoling feature is that at the start of the World Cup, we lost to a Natal Selection, and then we went on to reach the final! That time it was the batting that was the problem area in that game, now it is the bowling. But one thing is for sure, I wouldn’t want a repeat of this performance.On the suggestion that Zaheer Khan had lost rhythm because he tried to implement Dennis Lillee’s advise to shorten his leap: Its always nice to talk to former players and to listen to them. The boys have been interacting with Bruce Reid, Kapil Dev and Dennis, yes, but ultimately, the players have to understand what works for them and what doesn’t.

Herschelle Gibbs totally destroyed any chance that Kenya might have thought they had as the right-handed opener stroked South Africa to a ten-wicket victory at the North West Stadium in Potchefstroom.Gibbs took his score from 21 off 22 balls before the lunch break to a magnificent, undefeated 87 off 66 balls as South Africa cruised past the 141 they required for victory in the 22nd over.Gibbs was merciless on the three spinners employed by Steve Tikolo, all brought on inside the first 15 overs, helping himself to four cleanly-struck sixes and 12 fours, driven, pulled and cut past standing fielders.Not to be outdone, Gary Kirsten helped himself to an undefeated 52 from 63balls with nine fours. But for most of the 83 minutes of the innings he was content to let Gibbs do the bulk of the scoring as he punished anything lose.The Kenyan innings started poorly, with three wickets lost in the first nineovers as Shaun Pollock again caused trouble for the batsmen. His first and only spell rewarded him with 2/15 in six overs, while Makahaya Ntini backed up his captain with 1/14 in his seven-over opening spell.Lance Klusener was made Man of the Match after taking 4/16 in eight overs by continually mixing up his pace. He was involved in the run out of Ravindu Shah, who had been the sole contributor to the Kenyan innings.The two run-outs were totally unnecessary, and some poor shot selection was theother cause of Kenya’s downfall. Seven wickets went to catches, and a more conservative approach might have seen them post a more competitive total.For South Africa it was a clinical performance, and one they can build on as they progress in the tournament.