ScorecardUganda beat Namibia by five wickets with nine overs of the match remaining, to take the honours in their opening match of the ICC Intercontinental Cup. Namibia began the day on 130 for 2 – a lead of 21 – and batted sensibly to secure a lead of 181, despite the best efforts of Kenneth Kamyuka, who finished with 5 for 83.Uganda’s run-chase began badly, when M Naiko was caught-behind for a duck off the medium-pace of Bernie Berger (2 for 0). But their other opener, Benjamin Musoke, provided the solid foundations with a well-crafted 72. He added 136 for the fourth wicket with Frank Nsubuga, who made 41, and by the time they both fell within two runs of each other, the task was all but complete. Junior Kwebiha and Uganda’s first-innings hero, Nand Kishar, wrapped up the match.Uganda’s next fixture is on July 23, on their home turf in Kampala, when they take on the group favourites, Kenya. The African pool concludes on October 3, when Namibia and Kenya complete their match in Nairobi.
Playing with a gusto suggesting that their lives were on the line, India "A" staged a dramatic post-tea fightback against West Indies "B" at Kensington Oval yesterday to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the semifinals of the Carib Beer International Challenge.After suffering a collapse in the first half of the day to concede a first innings lead of 92, India "A" sent the West Indies Under-23s tumbling to 115 for seven on a day in which they had to endure the disappointment of their senior side receiving a mauling in the World Cup final.At the close, the West Indies "B" led by 207 to set the stage for an exciting finish today, the final day, when there will be no admission charge to the ground.On a pitch with some low bounce, the enthusiastic Indians consistently bowled between wicket and wicket, repeatedly bellowed raucous appeals and were also helped by aggressive strokes from the West Indies "B" team’s three leading batsmen this season.Hometown boys Patrick Browne and Martin Nurse both went by the lbw route for 16 when they were pinned onto the back foot.The dismissal of Nurse to the accurate medium-pacer Jai Yadav left the West Indies "B" 65 for three at the refreshment break at 4 p.m. and triggered the drama that followed in the next 40 minutes.Five wickets fell for 24, among them the in-form trio of Narsingh Deonarine, Aneil Kanhai and Carlton Baugh, to strokes that might have earned them a harsh word from team management.Deonarine, the impressive century-maker of the first innings, attempted to lift leg-spinner Amit Mishra over mid-wicket, but Connor Williams made tremendous ground in running back to haul in the catch a few feet in front of the Eric Inniss Stand.Baugh, who has attracted attention this season with a century and five half-centuries, attacked the bowling from the time he came out. He smashed two fours, but then edged a big drive to the keeper off Mishra.Kanhai’s dismissal was simply atrocious. The big left-hander, one of nine batsman in the tournament with 500 runs, missed an inexcusable cross-batted shot against Yadav and was bowled.It was now 89 for seven, but Lorenzo Ingram and Jason Bennett survived the next 50 minutes to prevent a complete collapse.Earlier, Bennett achieved another five-wicket haul to help West Indies "B" dismiss India "A" for 296 after they resumed on 210 for three in response to 388.After eight minutes, the 20-year-old Barbadian fast bowler removed Gautam Ghambir, who added only one to his overnight 107, and bowled captain Ajay Ratra for 38.Fellow fast bowler Andrew Richardson grabbed three wickets and off-spinner Deonarine claimed two as India "A" laboured in adding only 41 runs in the first session.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) Tuesday rejected Pakistan’sobjection and retained controversial New Zealander John Reid as matchreferee for the first half of the Asian Test Championship.Pakistan host Bangladesh between Aug 29 and Sept 2 at Multan and thenplay against India at Lahore between Sept 12 and 16, pending New Delhiclearance. The remaining matches are between Sri Lanka and Bangladeshat Colombo and India and Bangladesh at Bangalore.In a press statement, the ICC said its policies don’t permit anymember country to veto the appointment of independent referees orumpires.The ICC statement added that the policy was reconfirmed at the ICCexecutive board meeting at Nairobi in October 2000. However, thetoothless and ineffective ICC forgot that it had removed Darrell Hairfrom the 1999 World Cup matches involving Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka hadrefused to play the games if supervized by Hair. The Australian hadcalled Muttiah Muralitharan seven times in an over during the 1995-96Melbourne Test.The statement, quoting ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed, said: “Ihave spoken personally to the PCB and John Reid about this matter andexplained the ICC’s position.”The PCB has assured me that John Reid will receive the samecourtesies that are extended to all ICC officials visiting thecountry, and for his part Mr Reid remains keen to fulfil hisappointment covering the (four) Test matches.”Pakistan, last week, had registered its protest against theappointment of Reid after the former New Zealand captain madecontroversial decisions which left cricket in a spin.Reid, in 1999, forwarded Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar’s case to theICC after he was reported for throwing during the Perth Test byumpires Darrell Hair and Peter Willey. Ironically, Reid had not raisedany eye-brows against the pacer despite being the match referee in atleast two World Cup games involving Pakistan. However, the mostdebatable Reid’s decision was against current Pakistan captain WaqarYounis whom he handed a 50 per cent fine and one-match suspension onthe charges of ball tampering. Azhar Mahmood was also fined on thesame offence in the tri-nation one-day series in Sri Lanka last year.Reid’s cruel decision, which left a black spot on Waqar’s glitteringcareer, was an unilateral one as none of the umpires had reported theincident to the New Zealand.The ICC further said if India crossed borders for the icebreakingTest, South African Rudi Koertzen will be the third country umpire.
While they’ve received stick for the way they’ve gone about it, Chelsea have built a seriously talented squad over the last few years.
While it’s most certainly not the finished product, Enzo Maresca has several genuinely world-class players he can pick from every week, be that Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo or Reece James.
However, while the Blues have got plenty right with their squad building, they’ve also made unnecessary or downright pointless signings.
One summer arrival who is unfortunately veering more towards that camp this year is Jamie Gittens, although another in the squad is now looking even more perplexing.
Gittens' form this season
When Chelsea announced the signing of Gittens in the summer, there was some genuine excitement in the fanbase, and understandably so.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
After all, here was a young, dynamic winger who ended last season with an impressive haul of 17 goal involvements in 49 games for one of Germany’s biggest clubs.
Moreover, with goals away against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, the 21-year-old looked like the sort of fearless attacker the Blues needed in their squad.
Unfortunately, since arriving in West London, the Reading-born ace has looked a shadow of the player he was at Borussia Dortmund.
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly why the youngster has been in such poor form, but when watching him, his ability to beat players on the ball has disappeared, as has his ability to make the right decision in dangerous areas.
Gittens’ recent league form
Season
24/25
25/26
Appearances
32
12
Minutes
1784′
426′
Goals
8
0
Assists
4
2
Goal Involvements per Match
0.37
0.16
Minutes per Goal Involvement
148.66′
213′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
This combination has seen him score just once and provide five assists in 20 appearances.
That might not sound too bad, but it’s important to note that three of his goal involvements have come in the League Cup and the other three have come against Ajax, Burnley and Leeds United.
The most worrying performance of his short Blues career came on Tuesday night, when, against League One Cardiff, he failed to create anything of note, ending the game without a successful dribble or shot on target.
In all, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to argue with one analyst’s claim that he’s been a “pointless signing.”
However, and worryingly for Chelsea, there is another player they signed in the summer who has arguably been even more pointless.
The Chelsea signing more pointless than Gittens
Of all the signings Chelsea made in the summer, the one that is increasingly feeling the most pointless is Facundo Buonanotte.
Now, to be clear, the youngster is a talented footballer and someone who could have a bright future ahead of him.
After all, he produced nine goal involvements in 35 appearances for Leicester City last season and has been described as having a “left foot made of gold” by talent scout Jacek Kulig.
However, he was signed on a season-long loan with no option or obligation to buy him at the end of the campaign, and, simply put, the few minutes he’s getting would surely be better given to the club’s many impressive academy talents.
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Moreover, Ecuadorian wonderkid Kendry Paez was sent out on loan to Strasbourg in the summer, so why not just keep him and forget about bringing the Argentine in altogether?
Furthermore, even when he’s played for the team, he hasn’t been all that impressive.
Yes, he did pick up an assist against Cardiff – only his second goal involvement in seven games for the club – but he was really relatively poor in the first half.
For example, he failed in 66% of his dribbles, took just one shot on target, lost the ball 12 times, lost eight of 11 ground duels and was generally deserving of the 6/10 match rating football.london’s Bobby Vincent gave him at full-time.
Ultimately, while Buonanotte is not a terrible player, bringing him in on loan with no option feels even more pointless today than it did in the summer, especially when some of Chelsea’s best academy players surely could have done a job against third-tier Cardiff.
Dream for Estevao: Chelsea want to sign "one of the best wing-backs in the PL"
The Premier League star would be an incredible signing for Chelsea and would help get even more out of Estevao.
New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori was taken to hospital during the final session of the second day against Essex after injuring the index finger on his left hand while backing-up in the field. He required two stitches for a soft tissue injury and is almost certainly out of the final warm-up match against the England Lions next week, although should be fit for the first Test at Lord’s on May 15.He immediately ran off to the dressing room after backing up a wild throw from Brendon McCullum and was soon being driven to A&E for treatment. “There was a bit of blood, but we thought maybe he might have done some other damage – so we wanted to get it x-rayed to see maybe whether there was a problem with the tendon or bone,” said Lindsay Crocker, the New Zealand manager.”Daniel looked at it straight away and ran off the field straight away and feared the worst for a little while. But the worst would have been some injury to the bone, and that is not the case. It’s just a soft-tissue split – and he’s had two stitches,” Crocker added. “He should have the stitches out in about a week and should be fine, which will leave him short of a gallop before the Test. He wanted to play both these two games to get quite a few overs in. He’s not going to get that opportunity now but should be right to play in the first Test.”Vettori only arrived in the country two days ago after his stint in the IPL. He made 22 on the opening day then produced a tidy spell of bowling which included the wicket of Ryan ten Doeschate, caught at short leg. However, that 11-over spell is now likely to be his only first-class bowling before the Test series starts. Being his major spinning finger, Vettori won’t be allowed to wear any protection that touches the ball when he bowls.”They [the doctors] did a very thorough job on him. We explained very carefully the importance of Daniel to us – and particularly that left forefinger,” Crocker said. “They took that on board. The doctor went to great lengths, cleaned it out really well and did a microscopic job.”New Zealand do have spin-bowling cover on the tour with Jeetan Patel, the offspinner, part of the squad. He played two Tests during the recent series against England and impressed with his control and character.Vettori’s injury comes the day after Alastair Cook suffered a dislocated little finger, but he was able to open the batting as normal for Essex.
The honours board, the Long Room, the pavilion, the atmosphere, the food, the tradition and history all add to the aura of playing a Test at Lord’s. Seven of India’s 16-member squad have experienced the feeling, and one even has his name on the honours board. Thursday can’t come soon enough for the other nine.Sachin Tendulkar first saw Lord’s on television, the day India won the 1983 World Cup final. Four years later, he got his first real sighting while touring with the Star Cricket team, a side comprising promising junior cricketers. And in 1990, he played his first Lord’s Test and took a spectacular catch to dismiss Allan Lamb. He sprinted from long-off and, with his right hand outstretched, pulled off a low running catch in front of the sight-screen while running at top speed.When asked how special it was to play here Tendulkar said: “In 1983 I was only 10 and didn’t know what was happening. I joined the celebration and those fond memories are there. I remember visiting this ground as a 14-year old kid – we’d travelled with the Star Cricket Team. That time we’d sat next to the sight-screen and took a photo. You have big dreams and one of them was to be out there and play at Lord’s.”In 1990 [Graham] Gooch, [Robin] Smith and [Mohammad] Azharuddin got brilliant hundreds. I had one good catch and nothing else. Having heard and seen the ground so much on TV, one would like to be out there and score runs. I think it’s extremely special to be out there in the middle and I think one would want to make the most of it.Dinesh Karthik’s Lord’s debut was similar, although it was a one-dayer. He was out of place against Steve Harmison and scored 1 off 12 balls but left his mark in the field with a one-handed leg-side stumping to dismiss Michael Vaughan at a crucial juncture. “It’s a fantastic feeling to be at Lord’s and it wasgreat just to practise in the side grounds,” Karthik said. “Playing out in the centre willbe like a dream.”Sourav Ganguly arrived here in 1996 with most of India questioning his place in the side but left triumphant after a sensational hundred on debut. “The frame of mind I had in that Test, I could never have it after,” he said about the innings that launched his career. “Probably the best frame of mind I’ve had in my career. There was no nervousness, no fear of failure.”It’s an age factor. When you’re young you don’t worry about a lot of things. When you’re older, you do. I was more carefree and enjoyed the full five days of the Test match. Those five days were different. Sometimes when you’re playing well you’re happy, sometimes when you’re not playing well, you’re worried. That Test, I was not worried.”Sreesanth has been waiting for this moment since 1999, when he was here with an Under-16 side but wasn’t allowed into the ground. “I was the only person standing out that day,” he said. “I didn’t come into the field. I got to know that even if you’re a visitor you can’t go into the ground. I was standing outside the gate for nearly one-and-a-half hours when the team was inside. From that day I have been hoping to play here.”The moment I came out of the hotel, I was just waiting for the ground. The moment we reached the gate, I was waiting to see the pavilion. Then I wanted to enter the ground, then to see the pitch, to practice, to bowl. Every step has been a dream. I never thought I’ll get here. So many greats have played here. It’s very emotional. It will be nice to getthe name on the honours board.”Yet it was Mahendra Singh Dhoni, one of the nine players yet to play at this ground, who seemed to be enjoying himself the most. “A lot has been said about Lord’s from a historical point of view. I should be saying something else. I think the food is amazing and the desserts are excellent. Look, I am enjoying my ice cream. And after this discussion I am going back [for some more].”
Shoaib Malik, the Pakistan allrounder, is set to undergo a shoulder operation in South Africa next week to try to improve his suspect bowling action.”Malik’s problem is that due to those two accidents his arm tendons have become loose,” Shaharyar Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) told Reuters. “So when he bowls one gets the impression there is a problem with his action. The operation is being carried out to loosen his tendons so that his arm extension improves and he faces no more problems with his action.”Malik, 24, has been reported twice owing to problems caused by the after-effects of two road accidents which have limited the mobility of his arm extension. Malik was reported for his suspect action during the Paktel Cup one-day tournament in October 2004 but the Pakistan board suggested that the kink was the result of an accident which Malik suffered a year before that. Malik’s action was cleared last May after he went to South Africa to have his action tested.
Ricky Ponting has said that the result of the NatWest Series final at Lord’s has whetted his side’s appetite for the three-match NatWest Challenge one-day series, which starts on July 7. England fought back magnificently to force a tie on Saturday after being reduced to 33 for 5 while chasing 197, and Ponting claimed that his team was now eager to win back the upper hand over the next week.”With there being no result in this series, it will make us even keener to perform better in the next one,” he said. “It’s probably going to be good for the next series that this one has finished the way it has. We’ve got three games against England without Bangladesh and we’re looking forward to them.”Looking back at Saturday’s game, Ponting reckoned that a total of 196 should have been enough on a pitch where the ball bounced and seamed all day. “I felt it was a game we should have won. It was a very difficult wicket to bat on and close to 200 was a good score. I don’t think too much went wrong. We beat the bat I don’t know how many times early on when Jones and Collingwood were first in there but I thought their partnership was very good.”To have a tie in the final is a pretty fair reflection of the series. I’m disappointed we didn’t win but that’s one of the best games of one-day cricket you’ll ever see.”Michael Vaughan, meanwhile, was all praise for the sixth-wicket pair of Paul Collingwood and Geraint Jones, who put together 116 and brought England back into the game when all seemed lost. “Geraint played beautifully and Colly really hung in there. It just gave us a chance of getting close to their target. That was the pleasing thing, that we showed a lot of character when we looked like we were down and out.”For Jones, it was a return to form after a lean run with the bat – his four previous innings in the tournament had only fetched him 27 runs. “I needed some time in the middle, it was nice to spend a bit of time out there and get some runs,” he said after the match. “I knew I had to hang in there and be as patient as I could and get as close to the end with Colly as I could. That was the mindset there. It was quite an important innings in the situation of the game. We were in trouble early on but Paul and I had a great partnership there to get the team close. I’m more happy with that than anything personal.” With five catches to go with his 71 – the highest score of the match – Jones was the obvious choice for the Man-of-the-Match award.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly upset that Jagmohan Dalmiya, the president of the Indian board, held his press conference to announce the itinerary of India’s tour to Pakistan earlier than scheduled. The schedule for the tour was to be announced simultaneously by the two boards, with Dalmiya holding a press conference at 5pm IST, and Rameez Raja, PCB’s CEO, holding it at the same time, at 4.30 pm Pakistan time. (Pakistan is half-an-hour behind India.) However, Dalmiya’s press conference began at 4.40pm IST. The tour schedule was later touted in the media as a victory of the BCCI over the PCB.Speaking to the Indian Express, Rameez said: “We [Dalmiya and he] had agreed that we announce it at a promised time. But the BCCI gave out the details half-an-hour before us. I will certainly speak to Mr Dalmiya about it.”Dalmiya refused to be drawn into the matter, saying that it was a controversy created by the media. The puzzling aspect of the story, however, was that journalists in India knew a day in advance that Dalmiya’s press conference would be at 4.30pm the next day, which makes it all the more curious that the PCB did not know. The PCB, in fact, seems to have panicked to try to make their announcements before the Indian one. Agha Akbar Khan, the sports editor of the Lahore newspaper, The Nation, told The Indian Express about the confusion: “The whole event was so hurriedly organised that everything happened at the last minute. The PCB was not aware of Dalmiya’s announcements and when they got to know they sent out invites to one and all. Luckily, one of my reporters was around and could attend the briefing.”Dalmiya announcing the itinerary is a minor issue,” he concluded, “but the whole thing gives me a feeling that Indians want to show that they are in charge.”
Ex-Western Warrior Rob Baker smashed the innings of a life-time as Scarborough steamrolled Melville in the Don’t Drink and Drive Shield final.Baker struck a majestic 132 not out to take Scarborough to a comfortable seven wicket victory.Baker’s ton was all the more courageous as he has been struck down by chronic fatigue syndrome in recent times.He plays rarely for Scarborough as extended physical activity can bring on bouts of exhaustion.The day-night match was played at the WACA Ground before nearly 1000 loyal supporters.Melville captain Adam Voges won the toss and batted on a rock-hard wicket. Warrior’s one-day specialist Kade Harvey destroyed Melville’s top-order, taking 3-16 from his first six overs.Voges strode to the crease with the Storm at 3-59 in the 17th over and calmly set about saving the innings.The elegant right-hander showed why he is rated so highly by WACA selectors.Voges produced a sparkling 102 not out from 104 balls with 13 fours and a mammoth six off Kade Harvey.He shared a 65 run seventh-wicket stand with Shawn Gillies (21) that added respectability to Melville’s score.Scarborough got off to a disastrous start in their chase of 222.Paul Wilson removed the inform Clint Heron then produced the evenings biggest shock when he dismissed Test batsman Justin Langer for four.Wilson buttered up Langer with a series of wide balls before bowling a perfectly pitched delivery that saw Langer edge to keeper Andy Greig.When Harvey fell the Seagulls were 3-41 and the Storm were in with a chance.Scarborough’s keeper David Bandy had other ideas. He combined with Baker in a match-winning fourth-wicket partnership of 182.Baker carried his bat in his 138 ball innings with 19 sweetly timed boundaries.Bandy chimed in with a typically busy 73 from 102 balls.Baker was Man of the Match and thanked the Scarborough Cricket Club for supporting him through some tough times.In 27 Sheffield Shield-Pura Cup matches for WA Baker made 1168 runs at 28.49 and took 18 wickets at 42.89.In 27 domestic limited-overs matches Baker made 360 runs at 20.00 before his career was curtailed by illness.