Ben Hilfenhaus says an off-season refresher with Troy Cooley has helped him refine his action as he aims to extend his explosive form to the international stage in South Africa. Hilfenhaus was a late replacement for Shaun Tait in Australia’s 15-man squad for the Twenty20 World Championship next month in what will be his first tour with the national side.Tait’s slow recovery from an elbow injury has left the door open for Hilfenhaus to resume his brief international career that began in January. The ICC’s technical committee approved Hilfenhaus’ inclusion in the squad on Wednesday.Despite his outstanding 60-wicket haul in the Pura Cup last season, Hilfenhaus wanted to keep improving and has tweaked his technique with Cooley at the Centre of Excellence. “I spent most of last year at the Centre of Excellence with him and went up for a couple of weeks just recently and spent some time working on some technical things,” Hilfenhaus told . “He’s been getting me to make little changes in the action for variety – he’s fantastic on that perspective.”The opportunities for Hilfenhaus in South Africa will probably be limited as Australia have also chosen Brett Lee, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Mitchell Johnson and Shane Watson. However, Hilfenhaus is desperate to prove his value and he will draw on his experience in South Africa with the touring Academy side last August.”You’ve got to give the selectors a reason to keep you,” Hilfenhaus said. “It is just about doing the best you can and putting performances on the board.” Hilfenhaus impressed in his Twenty20 international debut against England when he claimed 2 for 16 from four overs.
Despite Brian Lara’s plea to include a fast bowler capable of dislodging the Indian lineup, the West Indies selectors included an extra batsman and retained the same bowling combination for the third Test in St Kitts, starting June 22. Marlon Samuels, the right-handed batsman, is the only change in the 13-man squad, replacing Dave Mohammed, the left-arm chinaman bowler.Lara, who is not a member of the selection panel, made a request to the selectors to include a fast bowler capable of bowling at 90 miles per hour or higher, after the injury to Fidel Edwards in the first Test at Antigua. Edwards, whose pace and bounce helped restrict India to a modest 241 in the first innings, suffered a hamstring pull early in the second.The Indians thereafter managed to rack up consecutive scores of over 500, prompting Lara to rethink his bowling combination. Mohammed, the left-arm chinaman bowler, was left out of the final eleven for the second Test at St Lucia, highlighting Lara’s insistence on pace as a strategy to get on top of India. Lara too made a plea to the authorities at the remaining venues to prepare faster tracks to suit his bowlers.Samuels, who played in the ODIs which preceded the Tests, failed with the bat but played his part with his offbreaks, restricting the Indians from scoring quickly.Squad Brian Lara (capt), Ramnaresh Sarwan (vice-capt), Ian Bradshaw, Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Pedro Collins, Corey Collymore, Daren Ganga, Chris Gayle, Runako Morton, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor
Gloucestershire have agreed new contracts with Chris Taylor, their four-day captain in 2004, and slow left-armer Ian Fisher. Both have signed three-year deals.Taylor, 28, scored 1077 runs, including four hundreds, in 2004 and led Gloucestershire to sixth place in the County Championship. He said: “I’m delighted to have signed an extended deal and am really looking forward to next season. Hopefully, it will be another successful one.””We are obviously really pleased Chris has signed his new contract,”Tom Richardson, Gloucestershire’s chief executive, added. “He had a good year as captain and batted and fielded extremely well.”Fisher took 23 wickets and became a regular member of the one-day side towards the end of the summer.James Pearson, a 21-year old opening batsman, has not played a first-class game for Gloucestershire since 2002 but was given a new one-year contract.
Desmond Haynes, one half of one of the greatest opening combinations Test cricket has ever seen, has expressed concerns about the West Indian team’s readiness for English conditions, and said that unfamiliarity with the moving ball could hamper the players.The Barbados Daily Nation reported Haynes’s doubts about the possibility of West Indian success in England – a far cry from the confidence his team exuded while touring in the past. “We are going to England in a couple of weeks’ time and there is no preparation in place where the guys can go into an indoor facility somewhere in the Caribbean to start playing against the moving ball.”I am not too sure of our preparation for that tour and that is why I have a little problem with how well we will do in England,” he said. “Because we just came off two tracks that were very, very flat. There was no sideway movement, playing against Bangladesh. That preparation, to me, is not adequate at this level.”Haynes, who played 116 Tests, most of them in concert with his fellow Barbadian opening partner Gordon Greenidge, pointed out that few players had experienced English conditions, unlike in the past, when many West Indian team members (including Haynes himself, in a prolific career with Middlesex) were fixtures on the county circuit. Of the one-day squad picked for the tour, only four players – Brian Lara, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ridley Jacobs – have significant experience in England.”It is harder on these players now than it was with us because there were about nine guys in the West Indies team that would have played in England or were playing in England for a county or something like that,” said Haynes. “We were strong back in the 1980s because we had the opportunity to play county cricket.”His comments came after the West Indian team’s dismal performances against South Africa, England and – to the mortification of many – even in the first Test against Bangladesh. The loss to a resurgent England earlier this year raises the possibility of a whitewash – and for a change, it’s England that will go into a series against West Indies wielding the whip.
The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) has appointed former captain Duleep Mendis as interim coach of the national team. Mendis will coach the team for two home Tests against New Zealand later this month and a subsequent one-day series, also involving Pakistan.Mendis takes over from Dav Whatmore, who requested an early release from his contract, which was due to expire at the end of May. Whatmore has been instrumental in shaping Sri Lanka into a top flight side. The pinnacle of his career was leading Sri Lanka to World Cup glory in 1996. Most recently, Sri Lanka reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in South Africa.The BCCSL has drawn up a short-list of potential replacements for Whatmore, but chief executive Anura Tennakoon has so far refused to reveal the names of those shortlisted. The favoured candidates are believed to be Australian Steve Rixon, former South Africa coach Graham Ford and New Zealander John Bracewell, who is currently in charge of English county side Gloucestershire.Mendis, meanwhile, has a wealth of experience, having previously served as team manager and chairman of selectors, as well as skippering Sri Lanka in 19 of his 24 Tests and 61 one-day games. The 50-year-old played in Sri Lanka’s inaugural Test against England in 1982 and the 1979, 1983 and 1987 World Cups.”He is no doubt one of the best suited candidates to take over the coaching of the national team during this important time,” a Board spokesman commented. The BCCSL hope to name a permanent replacement for Whatmore in time for the tour to the West Indies which begins in early June.
Stubborn batting by Steve Rhodes and Chris Liptrot denied Durham a championship double at Chester-le-Street.Worcestershire’s heroes came together on 63 for seven but were scarcely troubled as the accuracy of Durham’s young seamers deserted them and the eighth wicket pair survived for 28 overs.For most of his innings left-hander Liptrot faced the left-arm spin of Graeme Bridge, who had to bowl into the stiff wind.Liptrot took his only single when Steve Harmison briefly replaced Bridge, while Rhodes batted for 34 overs for 21 to take the total to 85 for seven at the close.Worcestershire’s top order crumbled after being set a victory target of 251 in 54 overs. Steep bounce from Harmison and Nicky Hatch accounted for both openers, then Graeme Hick followed his 200 not out yesterday by cutting and pulling successive balls from Harmison for four. But in going for another cut in the same over he found himself cramped for room and edged to wicketkeeper Andrew Pratt.David Leatherdale also went for a cut and edged to Pratt off Ian Hunter then Danny Law then gained lbw verdicts in successive overs. That made it 45 for six at tea, but despite the phalanx of slips Rhodes was able to leave a lot of short, wayward bowling, particularly from Harmison.Durham, resuming on 99 for two in the morning, added 96 in 32 overs to reach lunch on 195 for four with Paul Collingwood making an excellent 68 and Martin Love 62. It was Love’s 14th championship half-century, but he completed Durham’s campaign with only one hundred.When Durham went for the slog after lunch Matt Rawnsley picked up two of the three wickets to fall as 42 were added in eight overs before the declaration came on 237 for seven.
Neil McKenzie, ignored by the national selectors for the first three games againstNew Zealand, waved his bat under the noses of Rushdie Magiet and colleagueswith a stylish century to help Northerns Titans beat North West Dragons by29 runs at Supersport Park on Wednesday night.Not one of the national selectors in the Gauteng region turned up to watchMcKenzie in a Standard Bank Cup game where he put together the sort ofperformance which revived a struggling innings, his 103 coming off 109balls and including 12 fours.McKenzie learned only hours before the side left Nairobi on Sunday that hehad been left out of the national squad for the opening matches of thelimited overs international season against the competitive New Zealanders.This after the selectors had earlier indicated they were grooming the Titansbatsman for a middle-order place.McKenzie and the Northerns Titans captain, Gerald Dros, posteda national domestic record of 181 runs for the fourth wicket as Northerns puttogether a total of 239 for seven in their 45 overs.Dros scored an impressive 86 off 99 balls and, with his threewickets for 52 earned man of the match award.Greg Smith’s left-arm pace (3-24) ripped through the North West top-order asthe Dragons ran out of steam, scoring 210 for seven. Mark Lavine made 63 off 56 balls with three fours and six sixes, two of them among the biggestseen at the venue in a long time.
As Wednesday came around the majority of Leeds fans were sat furiously refreshing the home page of the official site, twitter feeds and various news websites waiting for Neil Warnocks ‘retained list’.
Nobody was really expecting anything other than the obvious fringe players being told they could leave, then rumours started breaking that Adam Clayton had been transfer listed.
Why though? Nobody could understand it. Clayton had been one of the standout players in a disappointing season, a bright spark in the dark times. Then, when Warnock explained how we couldn’t match his wage demands, it all started to make sense. Some fans, with seemingly short memories, turned on Clayton, labelling him as greedy, too big headed for the club and almost instantly decided that he was never that good after all. The rest knew exactly what Warnock meant. The story sparked feelings of deja-vu, with the recent transfer sagas of Bradley Johnson and Jermaine Beckford fresh in the mind.
What is important to remember is that Clayton signed from Manchester Citys youth academy, meaning that he will not have commanded a particularly high wage (rumoured to be around £2,000 per week), so considering how he had been a first team regular for the entire season, you could understand why he may feel entitled to a rise in wages. Ken Bates stirred the pot by claiming one player had requested £15,000 per week in negotiations, though Clayton then tweeted to deny it was him.
Oddly, no contract offer was ever made to Clayton, which may say more than words ever could. In terms of contracts at Leeds, it may be worth letting Shaun Harvey take a backseat over the summer, as if this is a demonstration of his negotiating skills it could be a frustrating transfer window.
In regards to incoming players, Jason Pearce finally became Neil Warnocks first signing of the summer, signing a four year deal at Elland Road, and his signature was well received by the fans. His second signing may not be too far away if you believe the rumours that are seemingly always flying around Leeds these days. One that may be a little too good to be true is that Leeds have bid one million plus Adam Clayton for Jermaine Beckford and Matt Mills of Leicester, which would be a real ‘Championship Manager’ type transfer bid.
As expected, the Jermaine Beckford rumours have been gaining momentum, with speculation claiming that Beckford has been placed on the transfer list. It was also stated that he was absent from the Leicester end of season awards party, which could indicate his future does not lie with the foxes.
All in all, it’s been a week that has ended with more questions than answers in regards to the future at Leeds. On the one hand we’ve signed a young, hungry, up and coming player with potential, yet on the other we seem more than happy to let one go.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
I for one wouldn’t be surprised to see Adam Clayton rubbing shoulders with Jonny Howson and Bradley Johnson in the Premier league next season, two other players who were not deemed worth the money by Bates and Harvey.
Perhaps more worryingly, they were also never replaced.
Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says his club are better off without Arturo Vidal, who joined Juventus from Bayer Leverkusen.After Vidal reportedly went back on a promise to join Leverkusen’s Bundesliga rivals Bayern to instead sign for Serie A club Juventus on Friday in a deal worth 10.5 million euros, Rummenigge said that the versatile Chile international does not have the required character to play at the Allianz Arena.
Rummenigge said Vidal’s snub would work out well for Jupp Heynckes’ Bayern side, as it means Austrian prospect David Alaba will stay at the club.
“I do not find it a pity that Arturo Vidal did not come,” Rummenigge told Kicker. “I would rather not have such players at Bayern Munich.”
“If the player had stuck to his word and shown the same character as (new signings Manuel) Neuer or (Jerome) Boateng, if he were a man of morals, then he would be here today with us. Alaba is staying, that puts Vidal’s snub into perspective.”
Rummenigge also weighed in on the controversy surrounding Neuer, who joined Bayern from Schalke on June 1.
Germany’s number-one goalkeeper has been the target of protests from certain sections of Bayern’s support, and Rummenigge wanted to draw a line under the issue.
“There will be no more talk from our side about this subject. Neuer has the Bayern genes, 100 percent,” he said.
It’s safe to say that Joe Cole hasn’t enjoyed the best of times since moving to Liverpool from Chelsea on a free transfer. The former West Ham prodigy was ignominiously dismissed on his Premier League debut, and injury and loss of form have continued to hamper his fledging Anfield career.
Now Roy Hodgson has told Liverpool’s number ten that he must accept any role in the team.
“Joe has to come to terms with the fact that he has come here after an unsuccessful period at Chelsea with high hopes of taking Liverpool by storm and unfortunately it’s not happened,” said the Liverpool manager.
“If he says ‘Well I’m not playing in my right position’, then you’d have to ask him what his right position is. If he says the only place he can play is behind the striker, then he is limiting his chances of playing here.
“We also have Gerrard and [Raúl] Meireles who can play in that position, and at the moment quite often we are playing with two strikers. I would be sad to hear him saying something like that, because he would be suggesting he can’t do what he has done so often for England and Chelsea, which is playing in a different position.”
Cole arrived at Anfield with high expectations, and his signing gave Kopites fresh cause for optimism after a turbulent 12 months. Even after his opening day sending-off against Arsenal, team-mate Jamie Carragher described Cole as being like a “God in the city” and said that the playmaker’s arrival had ”lifted the whole city.”
A paltry return of one goal and one assist, along with the side’s underwhelming form, has meant that the excitement generated by his summer arrival has dissipated. Cole has struggled to make his impact upon games, and has frequently looked short of fitness and confidence.
Hodgson’s Liverpool team is one sorely lacking in creativity. Cole is undoubtedly a player gifted with technical ability, flair and the ability to unlock defences.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
However, Cole has failed to show the willingness and discipline required to fit into Hodgson’s rigid system. If he can marry his inspiration with perspiration, he will undoubtedly have a big part to play in Liverpool’s quest for a European spot this season.
Follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/zarifrasul