A tight bowling performance by Railways gained them a victory overMadhya Pradesh in their Ranji Trophy one-day match at Udaipur.Winning the toss, Railways opted to bowl first; their bowlers did notlet them rue the decision. Barring Devendrasingh Bundela’s 46 off 75balls, none of the other batsmen could even get past 30, and MadhyaPradesh were consequently bowled out for 165. The honours among thebowling attack were evenly shared.Railways hit off the target, almost derisively, in 26.4 overs. YereGoud made 50 off 72 and Raja Ali blasted his way to 71 off 55 balls(seven fours, two sixes) to propel his side to 167 in just more thanhalf the quota of overs. With this win, Railways topped the CentralZone points table and qualified for the Wills Trophy.
When Vincent Janssen signed for Tottenham all the way back in 2016, it’s safe to say neither he or his advisors expected Spurs to reach a Champions League final just three years later.
If that eventuality was in mind, then two possible scenarios could have played out. The Dutchman would either be a key part of that side in 2019 or he’d be nowhere near the team.
Sadly, it was the latter that Janssen experienced. Still on the books of the north London club, he wasn’t included in the matchday squad as the Lilywhites eventually lost to Liverpool.
Just a few weeks later he was finally taking his leave from the club after a pretty dismal 104 or so weeks in the English capital.
Janssen signed for the club in a deal worth £17m and promised so much upon his arrival in the Premier League.
The now 27-year-old had bagged 32 times in 49 outings for AZ Alkmaar, catching the attention of plenty across Europe.
The Netherlands international looked a natural-born goalscorer but like many who have tried themselves in the top-tier of English football, he was a disaster.
During his three years at the club, of which one year was spent on loan at Fenerbahce in Turkey, he cost the club the best part of £3m in wages on £25k-per-week, meaning that he ransacked Daniel Levy’s pockets of £20m.
Sadly, that money didn’t really get Tottenham anywhere. The club did compete among Europe’s elite at that time but with the striker playing a very minimal part in that, featuring on just 46 occasions and scoring six times.
He attracted vast amounts of criticism and after moving to Turkey on a temporary basis, was labelled a “fraud” by pundits in that part of the world.
It’s safe to say the attacker hasn’t had the best of careers and the very fact he cost Levy and co £3.3m per goal says it all.
Janssen completed his days in the capital by playing for the U23s and try as he might, he could never prove his fitness or his quality. He missed 50 matches and a whopping 292 days through injury as his career rather fell away. Now, the forward is playing his football in Mexico, where again he is failing disastrously, scoring once in 20 outings this term.
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Spurs have had some questionable offensive players down the years, namely Roberto Soldado, but with 16 goals to his name in the white of Tottenham, it’s evident who the bigger mistake here was.
Both players arguably suffered from the rapidly improving Harry Kane at the time, and it says a lot that no striker has really settled into life at the club since he appeared on the scene.
Both Janssen and Soldado were pretty hefty flops.
AND in other news, Forget Son: 103-touch Spurs gem who’s “a bit of Modric” stole the show yesterday…
Coming into this match, the Mumbai Champs had lost their previous three games, and when Chris Cairns hit Avinash Yadav for three consecutive sixes, their hopes of a first win started evaporating.Cairns, the Lions captain, opted to bat first and his top order responded with a brisk start, the run-rate at exactly ten an over after nine overs had been bowled.Imran Farhat powered that start with five fours in his 34, with No. 3 Tejindra Pal Singh making 27. Cairns then joined Manish Sharma at the crease in the 13th over, and dazzled the Sunday crowd with a show of brute big-hitting. After Shridhar Iyer conceded 13 in the 14th over, 20 apiece were added to the bowling figures of Yadav and Rakesh Patel.With seven sixes, Cairns was the destroyer-in-chief, and having scored 70 with almost three overs to go, he looked on course to get a hundred. However, he fell to compatriot Nathan Astle while attempting to clear the boundary once more.Manish Sharma’s unbeaten 37 off 22 deliveries was overshadowed by Cairns’ 70 off 26, as the Lions finished on 219, by far the highest total in the tournament thus far.The Champs showed their intent by sending out their two most accomplished batsmen – Brian Lara and Nathan Astle – to deal grapple with the target of 220. Astle fell in the fifth over to Love Ablish, while Lara’s series of single-digit scores continued as he was dismissed for 9.Vikram Solanki didn’t last long either and it was left to Dheeraj Jadhav and Kiran Powar to try their luck. The duo responded with fifties, but Cairns’ belligerence had left with a little too much than what they could manage. The Champs finished 38 runs short of the Lions total, on a day of high-scoring matches in Panchkula.
To pull or not to pull? It is one of the more intriguing questions batsmen face. By choosing to take on the short ball, the intent is admirably purposeful. Never the shy, retiring type, Viv Richards said of the hook, a first cousin of the pull, “The fast bowler is testing your courage and your speed of reaction and you are trying to hit him either to, or over the boundary. You are telling the bully with the ball that you are not scared of anything he can send down at you.”It’s a fair point, for batsmen would much rather be accused of being compulsive hookers or pullers than being known for shuffling away to square leg when confronted by a short ball. Richards also likened hooking to riding a “roller coaster of risk,” and it is that risk which was rammed home to Pakistan today.Pakistan weren’t blown away by a short-ball barrage, as many had feared they might be. But they were hustled out by a judicious use of it. Three batsmen fell playing poor pulls, two of whom had been at the crease long enough to know better.Yasir Hameed and Younis Khan are not the two Y’s who normally put on big third-wicket partnerships for Pakistan but they had batted serenely enough to disentangle their side from a tricky position. As always, Younis let everyone know he was there; he clapped his own partner, nodded at bowlers who beat him, cheerily acknowledged fielders who athletically cut off his strokes and acknowledged his own shots, too.Hameed it was who appeared changed. It’s been 18 months since he last played a Test for Pakistan and longer since he was a regular. Not all of it was his own fault, for he was once dropped the match after scoring two fifties as opener in a Sydney Test. He had faults sure, chasing outside off with a relentlessness not seen since Smokey followed the Bandit. Gone was the urgency, the of his early years, replaced instead by an unsmiling grimness. If his shots weren’t so pretty, you’d be tempted to call him a grinder. But the timing remains, evidenced in a drive or two and a ridiculously good flicked six over square leg.Both knocks ended badly, as did Faisal Iqbal’s short stay immediately after, the three taking Richards advice gleefully, though not perhaps balancing it with that element of risk the great man pointed out as an afterthought.Mind you, the wickets weren’t pure freebies; they were just reward for the hosts. South Africa lacked a little fizz, perhaps understandably hungover from the monumental effort required to beat India. Nobody could blame them for that Test ended less than a week ago and by the time this one ends, it will be their fourth in a month.Bob Woolmer rightly complained about ‘nonsensical’ schedules which allow sides little time to acclimatize but South Africa might also back up the grievance in a different context: there just isn’t enough time for fast bowlers to rest. Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini bowled over a hundred overs each in the series against India and Andre Nel would have done comfortably had he played the last Test. Allan Donald advocating resting one or two key bowlers at some stage is increasingly sounding like sound, sagely advice.Yet, as you would expect of bowlers as wholehearted as this trio, they collectively muscled through the day, bowling 56 overs between them. Ntini hustled, Nel bristled and Pollock plotted, to lesser degrees than you might expect admittedly, but they eventually turned what could have been a long, flat day into a surprisingly profitable one. Run-rates never got out of hand, even during the afternoon session when no wickets fell, the fielding rarely lagged and the day ended just about in even balance.Pakistan, though, might rue not finding a balance between the bravado Viv Richards trumpeted and what another decent bat once suggested. Swaying out of the way, David Gower once wrote, avoiding the short ball can often “be more disconcerting to the bowler than attacking him…you commit the bowler to a growing sense of frustration, a loss of temper or control, or a change of tactics, which must work to your advantage.”
The final of the inaugural Twenty20 competition between New South Wales and Victoria will be played at the North Sydney Oval on Saturday January 21. Tickets for the clash, which are expected to be snapped up fairly quickly, go on sale today.”More than 115,000 people have attended domestic and international Twenty20 matches in the past week, and we expect the final of the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash to be just as popular,” James Sutherland, Cricket Australia’s CEO, told reporters. “Australians have responded incredibly to the Twenty20 Big Bash and the excitement that comes with this new format of the sport.”Matthew Nicholson, the NSW captain, welcomed the announcement. “The atmosphere at our last game at North Sydney Oval was awesome. The players are really enjoying playing this form of cricket and that comes back to the atmosphere at the game and the noise and interaction between the players and the crowd. That has got the players pretty pumped.”Cameron White, his opposite number, was equally bullish. “The players enjoy Twenty20 cricket just as much as the fans and we can’t wait to put on a great show.”Tickets available through ticketek on 132 849 or via www.tickettek.com.au
Western Province 228 and 192 for 2 (Daniel 94*, Tharanga 40) trail North Central Province 607 for 9 dec (Gunawardene 209, Kalavitigoda 59, Jayawardene 51, Dilshan 134, Vaas 5-98) by 187 runs Scorecard
Tillakaratne Dilshan added a cultured 134 to Avishka Gunawardene’s double-century yesterday as North Central Province piled up a huge total on the third day at the Sinhalese Sports Club. Mahela Jayawardene called a halt when Dilshan was finally out, after stroking 18 fours and two sixes, with the score at 607 – a lead of 379. Chaminda Vaas was again the only bowler to exert any control, and finished with 5 for 98, excellent figures in the circumstances. Ian Daniel and Michael Vandort reduced the arrears by 95 before Vandort was trapped in front by Chanaka Welegedara for 29. Daniel then added 86 with Upul Tharanga, whose 40 included seven fours. Daniel was unbeaten at the close, in sight of his eighth first-class century – but Western Province are still 187 behind going into the final day.Southern Province 336 and 264 for 2 (Vithana 103, Polonowita 124*) lead Central Province 265 (Fernando 64, Kandamby 144) by 335 runs ScorecardSouthern Province took command on the third day of their match at the Asgiriya Stadium in Kandy, building a lead of 335 by the close, mainly thanks to a second-wicket partnership of 223 between Harsha Vithana, who made 103, and Anushka Polonowita, who added an unbeaten 134 to his first-innings 65. They came together after the early loss of Marvan Atapattu for his second single-figure score of the match. Earlier Thilina Kandamby took his overnight score to a career-best 144 as Central stretched their first innings to 265.
Matthew Hoggard has set his sights on an England recall for the third Test against South Africa, which begins at Trent Bridge on August 14.Hoggard, who suffered a torn knee cartilage at the end of May, has missed six weeks of cricket so far this season. But he has been given the all-clear to play for Yorkshire in the next fortnight, and as he told Channel 4, he can’t wait to get back into the England frame.”I’ve been pencilled in for my first game in the next couple of weeks," said Hoggard, "and I’ve already been bowling off a shortened run in the nets. I have had to go back and realign my feet again to stop them crossing over and stop it happening again, but I’m hopeful of playing again soon and I hope to jog the selectors’ minds in the next two or three weeks.”Hoggard was England’s bowler of the season in 2002, when he took 28 wickets in seven Tests against Sri Lanka and India. But his stock fell during a difficult Ashes series, and he was a spectator throughout the subsequent World Cup. Given the start England’s bowlers have made to the current Test, however, Hoggard will fancy his chances of a recall.
Sherwin Campbell is not too worried about his recent run ofdepressing form or about whispers that his position asBarbados captain could be under threat.The former West Indies opening batsman and vice-captain hasnot made any substantial runs since returning to competitivecricket in late September after a three-month lay-offbecause of a shoulder injury.Of course if you are not scoring runs you will think aboutit, but I am trying not to think about it too much, he toldNATIONSPORT.I am just trying to remain positive all the time and alwaysthink about the next score around the corner.Campbell’s comments came after the second Busta Series trialmatch last weekend in which he was dismissed in singledigits to fast bowler Fidel Edwards in both innings.It comes down to spending some time in the nets, he said.I haven’t been batting as long as I would want in themiddle. I need to get long practices and spend a lot of timegetting my feet moving again.He has even considered other options, and engaged intapeball cricket in Black Rock last week.In recent weeks, rumours have surfaced that Campbell,Barbados’ captain for the past year, could be replaced fornext year’s Busta Series by either of former Barbadosskippers Philo Wallace or Courtney Browne or former WestIndies youth captain Ryan Hinds.You have heard talk going around about the captaincy andthis and that, Campbell said. It has not affected me.I captained in the Red Stripe Bowl this year and I thought Idid a fairly good job. I am not too worried about thecaptaincy at the moment.He said his priority is to get some runs under his belt, andhe does not believe that it is a case of trying to prove apoint to the selectors.I’ve been playing for Barbados for a number of years andI’ve played for the West Indies as well.I am not new to this game. The selectors should know myability by now.Campbell, however, acknowledged that no player’s place inany team is ever certain.If you are playing cricket, you always think about yourplace in any team, he said.You’re always looking to get a score to keep your name inthe selectors’ minds and to keep yourself in the team. Thosethings come across your mind, but you try not to focus onthose things.In spite of his modest performances during last month’s RedStripe Bowl and the latter phase of the Courts SuzukiDivision 1 championship, he does not agree with those whofeel he is past his best.I am still quite a young man and I feel I still have a lotleft in me, said Campbell, who turned 31 on November 1.I am sure that there is still a lot of cricket left in me toplay. I still reckon that I can score and score consistentlyfor a while to come.Campbell was the West Indies’ most consistent opener a fewyears ago, but lost his place after the tour of Australiathat ended last January. In 51 Tests, he has scored 2 856runs at an average of 32.82.
Liverpool are interested in signing exciting Barcelona teenager Gavi in the summer, according to a fresh transfer rumour.
The Lowdown: Gavi bursts onto the scene
The 17-year-old has emerged as arguably one of the most prodigious young players in world football, coming through Barca’s academy to become a key first-team player.
Gavi has already made 33 appearances for the La Liga giants, registering five assists and scoring twice in that time, also being hailed as ‘spectacular’ by his manager Xavi.
The Spaniard’s current deal expires in the summer of 2023, so Barca are running out of time to tie him down to a new contract.
The Latest: Liverpool linked with move for Gavi
According to Mundo Deportivo [via Sport Witness], Gavi’s current contract situation is described as ‘stranded’, with Liverpool one of the clubs ‘interested in his case’.
Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are also mentioned in the report, although it is stated that the midfielder ‘does not consider anything’ other than staying at Barca currently.
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The Verdict: Barca unlikely to sell
While Gavi could be a magnificent signing for Liverpool, given his amazing potential – Demetrio Albertini has compared him to Italy legend Francesco Totti – it really is difficult to see him leaving Barca any time soon.
At 17, he will surely continue to develop at his boyhood club in the same manner as his current boss, forging a special career for himself at the Camp Nou in the process.
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In an ideal world, Gavi would be in a Liverpool shirt next season, but much like the Reds selling their own teenage star in Harvey Elliott at this point in his career, it is almost impossible to see such a transfer developing.
In other news, a key Mohamed Salah update has emerged. Read more here.
One of football’s most tired clichés is that George Graham’s Arsenal was absolutely dire to watch and devoid of entertainment. Perhaps there was a case to suggest that in his later years; however the two Championship winning times were anything but and was full of goals and entertainment. This was down largely to the creative abilities of David Rocastle; an extremely talented football that didn’t get the credit outside of N5 that he fully deserved.
I read tributes upon tributes, watched countless YouTube compilations of the man in the run-up of the 11th anniversary of his death; however I don’t think I saw one that really captured the sheer essence of what an extraordinary talent he was, and in my view it was Graham’s decision to sell him to Leeds that saw the downturn in his reign, certainly in the team’s style and creativity. Rocastle provided the creative spark, something that would be missing from Highbury until the arrival of Bergkamp some years later. It made no sense to cash in on him when he did and I wonder if George Graham privately that rues the day that he did.
Rocastle was one of the most dynamic wingers of his time and if he was playing in the Premier League today he would be considered one of the country’s very best. That isn’t a throwaway comment but the very fact that there was very little that Rocastle couldn’t do with a football and his dribbling skills and famous step-over were ahead of their time. That famous lobbed goal at Old Trafford was an illustration of his great ability and we can only imagine what the media would be making of it now had it been scored by a Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, especially against a goalkeeper of Peter Schmeichel’s ability. In many ways you could say that goal is the perfect parallel to his actual career in it was totally unsung and was only really appreciated some years later.
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Unfortunately that is football for you and we only tend to appreciate things when they are retired or in David Rocastle’s case, sadly passed away. The term ‘great’ or ‘world class’ is embarrassingly overused in football and few deserve to be showered by such praise; however for four years from the late 80s and early 90s there weren’t many players, other than him and Paul Gascoigne, who were worthy of such an accolade. It is a shame that he didn’t get the appreciation within the game his ability deserved; or had to pass away to get the widespread recognition as to what a worldly talent he actually was. They say only the ‘good die young’ well David Rocastle was very, very good – not only as a footballer, but as a person as well.