All posts by h716a5.icu

As the Sun Bank Under 15 Championships reached their climax at Shenley CricketClub, Ralph Dellor spoke to those involved and some of the famous names in attendance

ECB Media Release28-Aug-2002

---

As the Sun Bank Under 15 Championships reached their climax at Shenley CricketClub, Ralph Dellor spoke to those involved and some of the famous names in attendance.28k-ISDN

---

Shrewsbury Cricket Club has won the 2002 Sun Bank Under 15 National ClubChampionship after trouncing Cardiff Cricket Club in the national final by 46 runs. The Shropshire side therefore lifted the Harry Secombe Cup for the first time in its history, victors over a record entry list of 1,517 clubs throughout the UK.Hosted at Hertfordshire’s picturesque Shenley Cricket Club, Shrewsbury defeated Fenner CC in the semi-final by a comfortable eight wickets. Restricting the Yorkshire club to just 77 runs in their 20 overs, Shrewsbury cruised to victory in the 14th over thanks to number four batsman, Joe Hart, who eased his side home with 34 not out, having earlier taken an impressive three wickets for 19 runs.Cardiff, who beat Horsham in the semis, were swept away in the final. Robert Foster top scored with 46 as Shrewsbury set a challenging target of 129, and team captain James Gale then dismissed the Cardiff’s first three batsmen as the Welsh side were skittled out for 83 in 16 overs.So Shrewsbury won the tournament, becoming Shropshire’s first ever champions of the prestigious 30-year-old competition, in a finals day made even more memorable by the presence of Nasser Hussain, Alec Stewart and Alex Tudor from the England men’s team, and Clare Connor and Isa Guha from the England women’s side amongst the 300-strong crowd.Mark Campkin, ECB Competitions Manager, underlined the success of the day, “As ever it has been a fantastic occasion. All four teams did tremendously well to get to the final, but well done to Shrewsbury who took the overall honours.”Over 16,000 boys have benefited this year from this expanding competition, which provides the perfect stage for aspiring junior cricketers to show their skills. The ECB is extremely grateful to Sun Bank for their outstanding contribution to the grass roots of the game.”Semi-finals
Cardiff 109-4 (20 overs; Owain Williams 53*) beat Horsham 73 (17.1 overs;Mohammed Usman 3-21)
Fenner 77-9 (20 overs; Joe Hart 3-19) lost to Shrewsbury 79-2 (13.2 overs)Final
Shrewsbury 129-8 (20 overs; Robert Foster 46, Stephen Johns 3-14) beatCardiff (16 overs; James Gale 3-20)

Wolves have reportedly made a bid to try and sign Kaio Jorge in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Jimenez cover needed

Losing Raul Jimenez to injury for most of the 2020/21 season was certainly a big blow to the Midlands club in their hopes of finishing in the top half of the Premier League table and qualifying for European competition.

The Molineux outfit should duly be looking for a striker to come in and provide sufficient cover for the Mexico international, in case he is again missing for a large chunk of the upcoming campaign.

The Latest: Jorge bid

As per A Bola (via Sport Witness), Wolves have taken a ‘strong step’ in their attempts to sign Jorge by offering a fee of €15m (£12.9m) for the Santos talent, but the Brazilian club want €20m (£17.1m) if they are to sell him.

New Wolves manager Bruno Lage is also said to be an admirer of the 19-year-old from his time at Benfica, who are also in the race for his signature along with both Chelsea and Juventus.

Jorge’s current deal expires at the end of the year and his renewal process is complicated, meaning that he should be available to sign a pre-contract with another club in July.

The Verdict: Sign

Jorge is an up-and-coming prospect at just 19 years of age but he has played men’s football since 2018, scoring 15 goals and supplying three assists in 71 matches across all competitions for Santos (Transfermarkt).

He also netted six times in 10 matches for Brazil at under-17 level (Transfermarkt) and has even been dubbed the ‘new Cristiano Ronaldo’.

Jorge clearly seems to have the potential to reach the highest level in football, and Wolves would be wise to try and give him a platform to shine while he is still a fledgling talent rather than a bona fide superstar.

In other news, this transfer update has left many Wolves fans talking

Chasing 482 to avoid a follow on was the daunting task facing Hampshire as they resumed their first innings on the third day after 28 overs had been lopped off the days allocation following heavy overnight rain.

Vic Isaacs07-Sep-2002Application and a thorough resolve were the keys to Hampshire’s day of attrition, as, chasing 482 to avoid a follow on, the visitors battled it out to cut the tally by 207 in a shortened third day at Hove.Facing the daunting task of following Sussex’s huge first innings was always going to be a tough ask, but the Hampshire batsmen dug in once play started at 12.15pm when 28 overs were lopped off the days allocation following heavy overnight rain.It was the Sussex bowlers turn to toil, as Jason Laney and debutant Jimmy Adams holding the home side up with a superb second wicket stand of 139, which was finally broken moments before tea when the former pushed forward to James Kirtley and was trapped leg before for an gritty 89.But it was not about the runs scored, it was more of the manner they were achieved and Laney patient innings befitted the circumstances. His innings included 12 fours and a six into the short pavilion-side boundary.Kirtley struck twice in quick succession when Adams edged to slip for a calculated 48. Will Kendall followed shortly after for just four, having his middle stump uprooted to stunt Hampshire’s progress from 208-1 to a worrying 213-4.But the veteran and the young protégé steady the nerves as Robin Smith and John Francis battled against everything the Sussex bowlers could throw at them.Smith told me later that he could not ever remember scoring so few runs in a whole session! It took him 78 balls before scoring his first and only boundary thus far – he was not out on 19 from 91 balls at the close. Slow, yes, but decidedly necessary.Francis, who was being given regular boosts from the master at the other end, scored at a quicker pace, especially taking a liking the sweep off the spinner Davis.Close of play day 3 and Hampshire are still 355 runs behind. Day four is likely to see much of the same attritional value seen today. It may not be pretty, nor save them from relegation, but it will prove that the side does have a backbone.

Paul Stewart is hoping that Dele Alli’s lack of competitive minutes last season will be a wake-up call for the Tottenham man.

The 25-year-old was a guaranteed starter during his first five seasons at Spurs, but the arrival of Jose Mourinho saw Alli hit a bump in the road.

£100,000-a-week man Alli had been a regular under Mourinho pre-lockdown, but hardly featured following the Premier League restarting, although that was nothing compared to his fortunes last season.

He was picked to start against Everton on the opening-day but would be handed just one more league start before Mourinho departed in late-April, with most of his opportunities coming in Europe and the domestic cups.

Alli’s lack of game-time has also resulted in him losing his place in the England squad, with his last Three Lions appearance coming more than two years ago in the Nations League.

And with a new manager coming in this summer, Stewart exclusively told Football FanCast that he hopes Alli can get back to playing his best football again:

“I just hope he gets his head together and does what he did when he first burst on the scene playing in that false 10, and he could put his foot in, tackle. I don’t think his ability was questioned.

“I feel Dele needs to concentrate on football more, I know there was talk of him having personal or family problems, and I feel for him, but prior to that he was concentrating on advertisement and clothes, so hopefully it’s a wake-up call for him.”

An update has emerged regarding Wolves’ chances of signing Leicester goalkeeper Danny Ward this summer.

What’s the talk?

According to the Daily Mail, Wolves have been given a boost in their pursuit of the Welsh international as they are set to appoint Wales’ goalkeeping coach Tony Roberts, who Wolves are expected to bring in to bolster their coaching department. That could improve their chances of landing the 28-year-old, with whom Roberts is currently working at the European Championship.

The report claims that Wolves are interested in a deal for Ward as they weigh up potential replacements for Portugal number one Rui Patricio. Roma are said to be keen on the Wolves shot-stopper and Ward has been identified as a player who could take his place.

Former Leicester midfielder and fellow Welshman Andy King has lavished praise on the “outstanding” shot-stopper for his performances in the European Championship this summer.

He told Sky Sports: “He’s been one of Wales’ outstanding players in this tournament. He’s been absolutely brilliant. For someone who doesn’t play football for their club week in, week out, he’s assured in everything he’s done.

“It’s not like he’s had to play his way into form or anything like that. He’s hit the ground running and has been outstanding from minute one.”

Fans would hate it

Leicester must avoid making a grave error over Ward this summer. Fans would surely hate it if the club sanctioned a sale for the goalkeeper to potentially bolster one of their Premier League rivals.

Leicester and Wolves finished fifth and 13th respectively in the table last season, but there is no telling how teams will improve or regress heading into the next campaign, and it is entirely plausible that the Foxes could be competing alongside them for European places. That is why they should not be selling any players to the Molineux outfit.

Fans would be fuming if Leicester allowed Ward to join Wolves and then his impressive performances helped them finish above the Foxes in the table, potentially stopping them from getting into Europe.

Given the 28-year-old’s recent displays for Wales, it is plausible that he could make a huge impact for Wolves. He averaged an impressive WhoScored rating of 7.12 in the Euro 2020 group stages for his country as he caught the eye with a string of fine saves between the sticks.

The £22,000-per-week beast has proven that he can produce quality performances at the top level, which is also why he is a reliable backup to Kasper Schmeichel at the King Power Stadium. Whilst the Dane has not missed a minute of Premier League action for three seasons, that run will have to come to an end at some stage for the 34-year-old.

When it does, Ward should be the player Rodgers is able to call upon, and that is why Leicester need to reject Wolves’ interest in the shot-stopper in the coming weeks.

AND in other news, Leicester handed major boost in their pursuit of 86-goal gem, Rodgers will be buzzing…

PERTH, Oct 30 AAP – England was making a late bid for victory at tea on the final day of a three-day match against Western Australia at the WACA ground.

AAP30-Oct-2002PERTH, Oct 30 AAP – England was making a late bid for victory at tea on the final day of a three-day match against Western Australia at the WACA ground.The Warriors were 7-219 with Ryan Campbell (23no) and Stuart Karppinen the next batsman in – WA holding a lead of 105 runs.Opener Michael Hussey (14) was the only batsman to be dismissed in the morning session after WA resumed at 1-16.He attempted to pull a Simon Jones (4-72) delivery but ended up top-edging it down to fine leg where Andy Caddick took a fine sprawling catch.It was a disappointing knock for the 27-year-old Hussey who would have been looking to further his chances for a berth in the Australian team down the track.However his scores of 0 and 14 in this encounter would hardly have impressed national selector David Boon.Test opener Justin Langer then came in at No.4 after deciding not to open the innings in the final seven overs of play last night because of a sore neck.He lived dangerously, playing almost an identical shot on seven to the misguided stroke which dismissed Hussey.However Langer’s shot flew a few metres finer and went for four.Langer and Rogers then batted in an attacking vein on a fairly lifeless pitch and put together a 141-run partnership for the third wicket.However Langer (68) ended up swiping at a wide ball and was caught behind off allrounder Craig White’s bowling.And Marcus North, who was a thorn in the tourists’ sides with an unbeaten 71 in the first innings, was removed first ball by White.The medium-pacer had the ball move away from North for wicketkeeper Alec Stewart’s second catch in successive balls.England looked a genuine chance of forcing a result when Jones removed Rogers (86) to reduce the Warriors to 5-178, a lead of just 64 runs.The tourists kept up their charge with Jones removing Hogg (18) and then Matthew Nicholson (2) with what was the last ball of the session.

Aston Villa are interested in a move for Manchester United centre-back Axel Tuanzebe as they hunt for defensive reinforcements, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Aston Villa build towards the 2021/22 season

With pre-season fast approaching at Bodymoor Heath, many Villa supporters will be intrigued to see how their team goes about improving on their 11th-placed finish last term.

Already active in the transfer market, Villa have so far acquired the signatures of Emiliano Buendia for a club-record fee from Norwich City [avfc.co.uk] alongside free agent Ashley Young [OTB Sports].

Could they now be set to follow this up with a third signing of the summer window following recent developments?

The Latest: Villa hold “concrete” interest in Tuanzebe

The Villains are said to have “concrete” interest in the 23-year-old stopper, according to a Football Insider source.

Aston Villa are in the market for a new centre-back following the departure of Bjorn Engels to Royal Antwerp, whilst they see the Red Devils defender as someone who can provide cover within the backline and has room for footballing development [Football Insider].

Of course, Tuanzebe is already a familiar face to the Villa Park faithful, having spent the second half of the 2017/18 campaign on loan at the club [Birmingham Mail].

The Verdict: Tuanzebe would be an ideal signing

Signing the former England under-21 international would represent an astute piece of business for Aston Villa.

In 2020/21, he made 19 appearances for Manchester United as he helped them towards a second-placed finish in the Premier League alongside reaching the Europa League final [Transfermarkt].

Comfortable with the ball at his feet, he showed his competency in ball retention across the previous campaign, recording a passing success rate of 89.4% across all competitions [WhoScored].

Possessing previous high-profile experience in the Champions League, he was praised for his “unbelievable performance” by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in United’s famous 2-1 win away to Paris Saint-Germain in Europe’s premier club competition last October [manutd.com].

Tuanzebe could contribute a lot to the Villa cause and they should endeavour to ensure that the deal gets over the line.

In other news, these Aston Villa fans react to a pundit’s Jack Grealish assessment.

Police in the riot-torn state of Gujarat are stepping up security for three upcoming one-day internationals between India and West Indies amid fears that Hindu-Muslim hostilities could erupt at the cricket venues

11-Nov-2002Police in the riot-torn state of Gujarat are stepping up security for three upcoming one-day internationals between India and West Indies amid fears that Hindu-Muslim hostilities could erupt at the cricket venues.Cricketing authorities said they would also screen unruly fans from entering stadiums in Ahmedabad, Baroda and Rajkot, where the three international matches will be held – beginning Tuesday in Rajkot.”Since the state has witnessed communal riots and a terrorist attack at the Akshardham Temple, we are taking all measures to ensure the safety of spectators,” Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) president Nihar Amin said.”The hotels where the players will stay and the buses in which they will travel will be checked. And before the players come on the ground, it will checked thoroughly by explosives experts,” said GCA executive member Hitesh Patel.”As there is a security threat, spectators will not be allowed to carry food boxes, water bottles, firecrackers, radios, mobile telephones or any object which can be used to cause trouble or a stampede,” he said.At least 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed in the religious bloodbath that erupted in February after a Muslim mob attacked a train carrying Hindu activists and burned to death 58 of them in the Gujarat town of Godhra.Sporadic rioting has continued in Gujarat, where the ruling Hindu nationalist BJP party has been widely blamed for not stemming the riots.In September, communal tensions resurfaced when two Islamic guerrillas attacked Gujarat’s revered temple of Akshardham and killed 28 Hindu devotees before being gunned down by commandos.Officials said extra precautions would be taken in Ahmedabad – the hub of the sectarian violence – where the fourth tie of the seven-match one-day series will be played on Friday.They said some 1,500 armed policemen will be deployed at the city’s 55,000 seat capacity Modera Stadium.

The South African National selectors have shown faith in the squad that did duty against Sri Lanka by naming an unchanged 15 for the first two Standard Bank One-Day Internationals starting in Durban on Sunday 8 November

Keith Lane06-Dec-2002The South African National selectors have shown faith in the squad that did duty against Sri Lanka by naming an unchanged 15 for the first two Standard Bank One-Day Internationals starting in Durban on Sunday 8 November.The selection of Monde Zondeki, who took a wicket with the first ball he bowled in an ODI, will give the South African coaching staff additional time to work with young pace bowler’s run-up and action.With the top order still causing some concerns, places for the final World Cup 15 are up for grabs. Now is the time for players like Graeme Smith, Boeta Dippenaar and Neil Mckenzie to put their hands and grasp their ticket to their dreams.Pakistan, with a fearsome pace attack, is going to put the South African batsmen to the test and will create far more pressure than what they have had in the past two series. Those that withstand this pressure will find themselves lining up in Cape Town come February 8th.The full squad is:Shaun Pollock – Captain, Mark Boucher – Vice-Captain, Boeta Dippenaar, Nicky Boje, Allan Donald, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis, Lance Klusener, Neil McKenzie, Makhaya Ntini, Robin Peterson, Jonty Rhodes, Graeme Smith, Monde Zondeki.

Danny Mills has suggested that Glasgow Rangers may only receive £9m for striker Alfredo Morelos if they sell him this summer.

The Lowdown: Morelos linked with exit

The Colombia international has been heavily linked with a move away from Ibrox this summer, with Porto particulary interested in his services (Antena 1).

There have been reports of a €17m (£14.6m) agreement being close (A Bola) as the Gers look to receive a big fee for their star striker.

The Latest: Mills makes surprise claim

However, speaking to Football Insider, Mills believes the Gers may only pick up £9m from the sale of the Colombian. He said:

“It’s not a huge figure for somebody who can score your goals, somebody who’s got real quality and will be a pain in the backside at times.

“If they’re setting the price of £13million, you may get him for £9million plus a couple of add-ons.

“It’s pretty cheap in this day and age, realistically. There’s not a huge amount of risk in that.

“If you get 18 decent months out of him at that price then you’ve got your money’s worth.

“He’s a very good goalscorer, so there’s no reason why he can’t make that step across.”

The Verdict: Worth more than that

In Scotland, clubs will always struggle to make the kind of money their counterparts south of the border are able to when it comes to selling players, but for Mills to suggest that Morelos is only worth £9m is ludicrous. The 25-year-old is already valued at £10.8m (Transfermarkt) and has proven to be a top player for the Gers, scoring 94 goals in 182 games.

Quite frankly, it would be embarrassing if the Gers only sold him for £9m. They know deep down that their star players will eventually move on, but taking a lower fee would send out the wrong message. They must make it clear that they will not be taken to the cleaners by Europe’s more affluent clubs.

In other news, this Rangers man has received a four-game ban.