Greg Chappell is being lined up to coach West Indies following the departure of Gus Logie on Monday. Chappell, who has been coaching director of South Australia for five years, is reported to have been interviewed in London during the Champions Trophy.In yesterday’s Trinidad & Tobago Express, Tony Cozier wrote that Chappell had been recommended by the playing committee to the West Indies board, and all that remained was for terms to be agreed.”All I know is that they were going to discuss the matter at their board meeting on Friday and Saturday but I’ve heard nothing subsequent to that date,” Chappell told Cozier. “I don’t know whether to assume no news is good news or bad news.”Chappell would operate under the board’s revised management structure, and so would have the casting vote on selection issues as well as the responsibility of choosing the final XI from the chosen squad.Leonard Robertson, the board’s communications officer, said he expected negotiations to be completed “sooner rather than later”.The board are known to be keen to avoid making any announcement until the deal is completed and, in doing so, avoid a repeat of the situation which led to Logie taking on the role almost by default. In April 2003 it was revealed that Bennett King was to be the new coach, but King had not agreed terms and withdrew from the shortlist, forcing the board to appoint Logie.It is possible that King is still in the board’s thoughts, but it will not make the same mistake again and refused to make any comment.
Sri Lanka A 249 for 4 (Jayantha 147*) beat Worcestershire 245 for 4 (Moore 91) by six wickets ScorecardSaman Jayantha marched to a magnificent unbeaten 147, as Sri Lanka A beat Worcestershire by six wickets to record their fourth consecutive victory since arriving in England ten days ago. Jayantha, who made his senior one-day debut against Australia earlier this year, cracked 21 fours and two sixes in his 137-ball innings, as Sri Lanka romped to their victory target of 246 with more than seven overs to spare.He needed little assistance from his team-mates along the way. Ian Daniel dropped anchor for 37 and Thilina Kandamby contributed a brisk 22, but they were as overshadowed as Worcestershire’s bowlers. Kabir Ali, who this time last year was a member of England’s one-day squad, picked up two wickets, but was spanked for 70 runs in his 9.4 overs, and only Gareth Batty was able to maintain some semblance of control.Worcestershire would have harboured high hopes after racking up a competitive total of 245 for 4, after losing the toss and being asked to bat first. The mainstay of their innings was Stephen Moore, whose 91 spanned 131 deliveries and featured 10 fours. He was aided and abetted by Kadeer Ali, who was run out for 48, although Worcestershire could have done with some of that old magic from Graeme Hick. But he had been rested after his brutal century in the Twenty20 Cup.Sri Lanka now take on Glamorgan on Friday, and after that only Sussex and Kent can prevent them from completing a clean sweep on the one-day leg of their tour.
There was scant chance of Shane Warne’s second urine sample being freeof drugs, the Australian Sports Drug Agency (ASDA) said.Warne is returning from South Africa without bowling a ball in the WorldCup after testing positive for diuretics in an ASDA sanctioned test onJanuary 22 this year.The positive test was from Warne’s initial urine sample.Another sample, referred to as the B sample, is now being examined.But ASDA chairman Dr Brian Sando said it was rare for a B sample resultto differ from the initial sample, known as the A sample.”Unfortunately for the athlete, it is very unlikely that specimen, whichreally is part of the original one, is going to show anything differentfrom what the A sample has shown,” Dr Sando told ABC radio.Dr Sando said he was disappointed at Warne’s positive test.”The education programs are pretty widespread,” he said.”And I know cricket has certainly participated in those programs andhave done their very best to educate their athletes about the dangers oftaking prohibited substances and not getting caught by inadvertent use.”But every year, unfortunately, we have a few of these top athletes thattest positive to substances on that banned list, and it’s prettydisappointing.”Dr Sando said it did not matter if Warne was unaware of taking thebanned diuretic.”Unfortunately from an athlete’s viewpoint, there is strict liability,”he said.”An athlete is responsible for what goes into their body.”And so if a banned substance is found in urine testing then thatathlete has to answer as to why and how that has occurred.”Sometimes it is very vague and they are not really certain or they havetaken something for a purpose that wasn’t in anyway associated withtrying to enhance performance.”But they really do have to pay a penalty because unfortunately it’s notpossible to differentiate frequently between those who have donesomething inadvertently and those who may not have been trying to do itinadvertently.”
Zimbabwe vice-captain and all-rounder Guy Whittall is happy to be back in batting form after the selectors kept faith in him despite a disappointing performance in the last three overseas tours of India, New Zealand and Australia.”I wasn’t quite going on to make big scores," he says. “I was getting twenties and thirties and not making any big scores and I was putting a lot of guys under a lot of pressure. This was obviously not good for the team.”In the two-match Test series in India, Whittall averaged 31 with a best score of 84 in the first innings of the second Test. The other scores were 0, 29 and 11. In the one-off Boxing Day Test in New Zealand, Whittall averaged just 7.50.”Although I had not made any big scores of 50 in quite a few games, I still believed that I would play against Bangladesh because I believed that the selectors and management would have confidence in me at Test level. But I would not have been totally surprised if I wasn’t selected. I thought that Gavin Rennie who had batted well in New Zealand would be preferred ahead of me.”Rennie averaged 65 in the New Zealand Test after making Zimbabwe’s highest individual score of 93.”The selectors however had faith in me, obviously because of my past record at home, and I managed to come through for the team and for the team, which was the turning point for the season for myself. Against India I might still be in the opening position and this is going to be more of a test for me against a better side.”They have Harbhajan Singh in the attack and he has proven himself. They also have Srinath who I think is one of the best bowlers in the world. He gets a lot of lift and bounce so he, I should think, will be spearheading the Indian attack. They also have got a couple of youngsters who have a bit of pace and are fighting for position.”I will, once again, not be bowling because of injury. It will be another six more weeks and we’ll review the situation after that.”India have a very strong batting line up with Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid. They also have Laxman who we actually saw in a warm-up match the last time we were in India around 1996 and we thought he was a real classy act. He is now among the best inthe world.”But obviously when you are playing at home and you have the home support, you sort of know more about yourself and about the actual game on your own turf.”We beat India here the last time but unfortunately I was not involved because of injury. Hopefully this time we can get a good combination of our batsmen and bowlers so that everyone can bowl and bat according to the team plan.”India have failed to produce the same sort of standard of cricket that they have away from home but they have got a new coach now in John Wright from New Zealand. I think on the actual fitness side and on fielding skills and duels, India will now be able to compete with any side in the world.”They are a lot tighter and a lot better in the field. They are actually throwing themselves around on the field. They never used to do that a couple of years back. They are here after a fantastic win over Australia, which I am sure they are very proud of and the rest of the world was quite happy to see.”But that should not make us afraid of them as they chase their first overseas Test series win since 1986. When you play sport you can’t have this fear of being the first to go down. Your main aim is to suit your own game and do what you think is the best for the team.”In the last two years we have come a long way. I believe we have got some good batsmen playing at the moment and we are in good form. We just need to learn to take 20 wickets in a game.”
West Ham are reportedly clear favourites to sign a forward who manager Nuno Espírito Santo believes could be a crucial addition to the squad.
West Ham poised for pivotal January as Fullkrug nears Milan move
The Hammers and AC Milan are currently putting the finishing touches on Niclas Fullkrug’s loan move to AC Milan, which will include a buy option, not an obligation, worth around £12 million.
This comes as West Ham urgently scour the market for forward reinforcements, with Nuno’s side trapped in the relegation zone and desperately short of goals heading into the January window.
The Hammers currently sit in the bottom three in the Premier League table with their attacking options looking worryingly thin after Fullkrug made clear his desire to leave the London Stadium.
Veteran striker Callum Wilson, who’s been in great form recently, provides cover alongside young prospect Callum Marshall, but neither represents a long-term solution for a club fighting for survival.
West Ham make first move to sign La Liga's 2024 top goalscorer to replace Fullkrug
He’s got a proven record.
ByEmilio Galantini
Nuno knows January represents a critical window to address their goalscoring woes before it condemns them to the Championship, alongside their leaky backline.
Norwich City forward Josh Sargent has emerged as a primary target according to recent reports, with the American international offering both experience in England and physical presence.
The 25-year-old reportedly appeals to West Ham’s hierarchy after expensive overseas signings repeatedly failed to adapt to English football’s demands.
In terms of targets abroad, Serie A could be a fruitful talent pool.
Roma’s Artem Dovbyk, who finished the 2023/2024 campaign as La Liga’s top goalscorer during his time at Girona, is reportedly a target for West Ham alongside Fiorentina star Moise Kean.
Former Wolves winger Adama Traore also features on Nuno’s wishlist with the manager keen to reunite with a player he coached previously at Molineux.
Sources suggest Traore’s lack of game time at Fulham could facilitate a January move, though Wolves are also monitoring the situation.
Adama Traoré 'expected to complete' West Ham move in January
That is according to insider Claret & Hugh, who report this week that Traore is ‘expected to complete a move’ to West Ham in January ahead of the Old Gold.
Fulham are keen to recoup a fee for the 29-year-old before his contract expires next summer, making a January sale increasingly likely.
Wolves and manager Rob Edwards are considering a loan deal with either an obligation or an option to buy depending on whether the club find themselves in the Championship come season’s end.
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West Ham face similar relegation concerns, but Nuno remains particularly determined to reunite with Traore after working successfully with him before.
The Portuguese also views his former winger as an ‘important’ addition to his struggling squad.
Traore has started just one Premier League game for Fulham this season and turns 30 in January, making regular first-team football his priority as he enters the latter stages of his career.
Currently earning around £65,000-per-week, the Spaniard will likely accept reduced wages to secure the move.
If the transfer materialises, Traore would provide depth on the right wing, though Nuno may even also explore deploying him as a striker given West Ham’s desperate need for attacking options.
West Ham in pole position to re-sign former star after holding talks with him
Beau Casson, the New South Wales left-arm wrist-spinner, must be counting the days until Australia’s selectors announce the Test squad to tour the West Indies in May. Stuart MacGill’s successful return at the end of the domestic season means he will be the first slow bowler chosen but Casson is firming as a possible back-up.Casson, 25, bowled unchanged in the second innings of the Blues’ Pura Cup final win and was halfway through his 30th over when he grabbed the match-winning wicket. His four for the game left him with a season tally of 29 at 35.13, which was nine fewer than the selectors’ other main option Bryce McGain, the Victoria legspinner who is 36 and played two more matches than Casson this summer.”It’s very flattering when someone mentions that you are in the frame, and that’s the main reason I came out here [to Sydney],” Casson told the . “I thought it was the best place to develop my craft. I would be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about it. Spinners do tend to mature a lot later, it is just the nature of what we do.”Casson’s move from Western Australia before 2006-07 initially looked questionable after he struggled through last summer with little impact. However, MacGill’s wrist surgery opened a door for him this season and after the prolific Doug Bollinger broke his foot late in the campaign, more wickets were suddenly up for grabs.”It was quite tough early on,” Casson said. “With our quicks going so well, the likes of Doug Bollinger killing it, there weren’t many chances to have long spells and develop some sort of rhythm.”The retirements of Shane Warne in 2006-07 and Brad Hogg in 2007-08 have left the selectors with few slow-bowling options – MacGill, McGain, Casson and Dan Cullen are the most likely choices. Regardless of who is picked the squad for the Caribbean trip will feature at least one man preparing for a Test debut, with Brad Haddin set to replace Adam Gilchrist behind the stumps.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a new six-member junior selection committee, to be headed by former Test opener Naushad Ali.As with the national selection committee, members of the committee will be full-time, paid employees and have been appointed for a two-year tenure. They will be responsible for selection of academy teams and all age-group teams from U-15 to U-19.The committee is comprised of former Test cricketers Aftab Baloch, Mohsin Kamal, Azhar Khan and Arshad Khan, the off-spinner from Peshawar who was, until recently, a part of Pakistan’s international squad. Mudassar Nazar, director of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) at Gaddafi Stadium, is the sixth member of the committee.
Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan coach, says he will speak to Shahid Afridi about his surprising decision to skip Tests until after the World Cup in 2007. Afridi announced last week his intention to temporarily `retire’ from Test match cricket due primarily to an increasingly heavy playing schedule.Woolmer, in Abu Dhabi already for a coaching course, will talk to Afridi over the course of the two ODIs between India and Pakistan later this week. He told Cricinfo, “I would like to speak to Afridi in Abu Dhabi to discuss his decision. Naturally it is not for me to make comment regarding his announcement until I have had a chance to discuss this with him.”Though Afridi has constantly dismissed suggestions that his dropping from the second Test at Kandy had anything to do with his decision, speculation remains that there was more to the move than appeared immediately apparent. But Woolmer seemingly confirmed Afridi’s assertion, saying, “I believe he has shown categorically that he can handle Test cricket and he has been an important member of our side. He gives the team an added dimension.” Afridi had complained that too much cricket had taken its toll on him and that he wanted to spend some time with his family and concentrate solely on the World Cup.Afridi had not spoken to the PCB about his plans, only informing Inzamam-ul-Haq of his decision. Inzamam has been non-committal, saying only that he would not like to create undue pressure on Afridi to do something he does not want to do at this stage.Chatter from within the PCB suggests that officials plan to speak to Afridi in Abu Dhabi in an effort to, if not immediately reconsider, then at least think about it a little longer before making the decision final. “We will speak to him to see what his thinking is. It is a surprise to us but ultimately if he has made up his mind, then we cannot do much. You can drag a horse to water but you cannot make him drink it,” said one.Another official revealed that Afridi had been reluctant to go on the tour of Sri Lanka in the first place and had even requested that he be dropped from the Kandy Test. “This has come as quite a surprise although he intimated that he was not up for the Sri Lankan tour saying that he had played too much cricket. He actually asked to be left out of the Test side at Kandy.”
Inzamam-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain, has said that England’s performance in the Ashes would given him an idea of how his team should prepare for the home series against England later this year. “I am anxiously waiting for the Ashes to begin,” Inzamam told AFP. “England playing Australia will give us a chance to gauge England’s weak and strong points before we play them in three months’ time.”Inzamam admitted that England had improved tremendously over the last year, and expected them to challenge Australia’s dominance during the five-Test series. “They [England] have improved a lot and would give Australia a tough fight in the Ashes and we have to keep a close look on them if we want to achieve better results against them,” he said. “I believe that my young team can improve if we play with tough teams like England. We lost badly to Australia earlier this year but we fared better against India and the West Indies later.”The last time England toured Pakistan, in 2000-01, Nasser Hussain led them to a famous 1-0 win, with the all-important win coming in near darkness at Karachi. It was the first time Pakistan had lost a home series to England since 1961-62, and the Pakistan media later blamed the defeat on Pakistan’s strategy of packing the team with spinners. Inzamam indicated that they wouldn’t repeat that mistake this time around.”I don’t believe in packing the team with spinners. Fast bowlers have been our strength and if they are fully fit I will go with the fast bowlers,” he said. “Currently fitness of fast bowlers is our main worry but I hope they all get fit in three months to give us the best arsenal against England.”Mohammad Sami and Shoaib Akhtar both missed the tour to the West Indies due to fitness concerns. Shabbir Ahmed, who did play the series, was reported for a suspect action and is awaiting a final verdict on the matter from the ICC.Meanwhile, the itinerary for the series is likely to be finalised later this week after an ECB team visited various venues in Pakistan to check the security measures. The ECB has expressed its concern about playing a Test in Karachi due to sectarian violence in that city, but might agree to play a one-dayer there.
Sylvester Joseph and Dwayne Bravo both smashed centuries as the West Indies Cricket Board XI took charge of the three-day match against the Bangladeshis at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada. Joseph made 115, and Bravo 100 as the WICB XI made 320 for 5 before declaring. In response, the Bangladeshis were 124 for 4 at stumps on day two, with Mohammad Ashraful’s 67 the focal point of their resistance after they had slumped to 4 for 3.Resuming at 82 for 2, Joseph and Bravo – who have both played one-day internationals for the West Indies – added 212 for the third wicket. Joseph belted 15 fours and a six, but was also reprieved twice, on 89 and 92.Soon after lunch, Joseph gave a return catch to Enamul Haque, while Bravo was run out for an even hundred after a misunderstanding with Dwayne Smith. Carlton Baugh then lashed 52 off 53 balls as the WICB XI called time on the innings just before tea.The Bangladeshis made a dreadful start to their reply, with Corey Collymore and Jermaine Lawson doing the damage. Javed Omar was caught down the leg side by Baugh off Collymore, and then Rajin Saleh, captaining the side, was superbly caught low to his left by Omari Banks at gully, giving Collymore two wickets without a run on the board.Lawson struck soon after, as Hannan Sarkar’s attempted cover-drive became an edge through to Baugh. But Faisal Hossain (43) helped Ashraful add 75 for the fourth wicket before he was trapped in front by the left-arm spin of Dave Mohammed.Ashraful batted with caution till the close, taking 121 balls for his 50, as the Bangladeshis strove to avoid embarrassment ahead of the first Test which starts in St. Lucia on Friday.