All posts by h716a5.icu

Gary Kirsten’s mother, Gayl Hall, has died of cancer in a Cape Town hospital. She was 64.

Cricinfo staff08-Aug-2008Gary Kirsten’s mother, Gayl Hall, has died of cancer in a Cape Town hospital. She was 64.Kirsten had flown to South Africa on Tuesday, mid-way through India’s tour of Sri Lanka, to be with his mother. Paddy Upton, the mental conditioning coach, took charge of the team for the ongoing third Test in Colombo. Kirsten is yet to reveal whether he will join the team for the five-match ODI series starting August 18.

West Bromwich Albion midfielder Tim Iroegbunam has completed a move away from The Hawthorns.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by the Express & Star, who claim that the 18-year-old has rejected the offer of a generous professional contract at West Brom in favour of a move to Aston Villa.

The report goes on to mention that the central midfielder has been with the Baggies since the age of eight, also relaying the highly-rated youngster’s farewell message to Albion fans, which read: “I would like to say thank you to everyone at West Bromwich Albion who’ve helped me on my development as a footballer.

“You have all given me good times and memories I will cherish forever. Now my time has come to an end and I am looking forward to the next chapter. I wish the best to all my teammates and the coaches I’ve been with. It’s been an amazing 10 years.”

The Express & Star also cited the comments of Aston Villa academy boss Mark Harrison reflecting on the signing of Iroegbunam.

He said: “Tim is an athletic midfielder who is technically very good. He has the ability to play as a holding midfielder or a box-to-box midfielder, who can contribute in both penalty areas. Tim has a lot of potential and we look forward to seeing him develop over the next few years.”

Fans will be fuming

Considering just how much raw talent Iroegbunam appears to have, the 18-year-old’s departure from West Brom before even having the chance to make an appearance for the first team is sure to have left fans of the club fuming, particularly as he has gone to a Midlands rival in Aston Villa.

Last season, the 5 foot 8 midfielder was named as the club’s Marc Darcy Academy Player of the Season, having scored four goals and provided four assists over 28 appearances in the Under-18 Premier League, Premier League 2, FA Youth Cup and EFL Trophy.

The youngster impressed so much that Sam Allardyce opted to include him in his first team squad on the final day of the Premier League season, although Iroegbunam failed to make it onto the pitch in Albion’s 3-1 defeat to Leeds United.

However, following his switch to Villa, this occasion was the first and last time that West Brom fans will see the 18-year-old in and around the Baggies’ starting XI, something which will undoubtedly be hugely disappointing considering that the Championship club have nurtured Iroegbunam into the player he is today over the course of the last decade.

In other news: Reliable journalist drops West Brom transfer development, Ismael will be gutted

Durham have unveiled plans for a £45million development of Chester-le-Street which will increase the capacity by 4000 seats to 20,000 and includes the installation of floodlights

Cricinfo staff05-Sep-2008
Lumley Castle provides an imposing backdrop to Chester-le-Street, which will expand in the next year © Getty Images
Durham have unveiled plans for a £45million development of Chester-le-Street which will increase the capacity by 4000 seats to 20,000 and includes the installation of floodlights.Temporary seating will be replaced by permanent fixtures and phase one of the plans – a small extension to the South East Terrace – has already received planning permission. Work will begin in January and is due to be finished by May 2009.Future plans for the ground include a 150-bed hotel and a new entrance building, which will also include conference and banqueting facilities.The permanent floodlights will be a major move for the ground, improving conditions for day/night matches which are an important earner for the county. Other developments include a TV compound and new scoreboards with replay screens.”The ground development is essential if we are to continue to stage international cricket and positions Riverside as a leading regional venue and Durham [County Cricket Club] as a major local employer,” said chief executive David Harker.Chester-le-Street has become a fixture on the international calendar since hosting its first one-day international, between Pakistan and Scotland during the 1999 World Cup, and has held three Tests involving Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and West Indies. In 2009 the second Test against Sri Lanka will take place in the North East followed by the seventh, and final, ODI against Australia on September 20.

The Athletic’s Gregg Evans has dropped an update on former Aston Villa centre-back Easah Suliman, and it’s news that shines a light on a Suso masterclass.

What’s the story?

The 23-year-old left Dean Smith’s side back in January 2020 on a permanent basis for Portuguese side Vitoria, back when Suso was still the club’s sporting director.

And now, while he may have only made a loan move to CD Nacional, there is a bit of news that will catch the eye of Villa fans.

It said: “The Athletic understands Easah Suliman has decided against a return to the UK and will spend next season on loan at CD Nacional in Portugal.  The 23-year-old centre-back left Aston Villa for Vitoria Guimaraes last January but has struggled to hold down a regular starting spot.

“A number of clubs in both England and Scotland were interested in signing him this summer but Suliman has agreed to drop down a division and spent the season on the island of Madeira.”

And then, writing on Twitter, Evans added: “Former #AVFC centre back Easah Suliman will join CD Nacional on loan from Vitoria. Villa still keeping a close eye on him as they have a 30% sell-on clause.”

Suso masterclass

As is the case with a lot of transfers these days, not everything is just pure cash up front, with various instalments and clauses included to make it easier for the buying club to pay.

One real advantage the selling club can have though in response, is including a sell-on clause, often doing so for rising young talents who may command a small fee now, but could potentially go on to be sold for big money later.

A prime example of that has already been seen at Manchester City this summer, with Manchester United’s move for Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho pocketing them over £10m, according to reports, thanks to a sell-on clause they included when the England international made the move to Germany a few years ago.

While Suliman may, and probably will not, ever be sold for such a crazy amount, the fact Suso had the forethought to include a 30% sell-on clause in the deal to sell him to Vitoria last year was a real masterclass by him.

The Spanish sporting director may not have got a lot of things right in terms of his recruitment, but he certainly played a blinder with his negotiations in Suliman’s exit.

At 23, the centre-back still remains a very young prospect who was part of England U19s European Championship title-winning year back in 2017, so there’s every chance that he could be sold for a decent amount.

If that happens, Villa stand to make a good chunk of money from it. And that’s thanks to Suso’s work.

Meanwhile, Ashley Preece drops Villa claim on Anwar El Ghazi…

James Sutherland, Cricket Australia’s chief executive, has ruled out the possibility of Andrew Symonds replacing an injured Phil Jaques in Australia’s Test squad in India

Cricinfo staff20-Oct-2008
Andrew Symonds will have to wait a while longer before he can don the baggy green again © Getty Images
James Sutherland, Cricket Australia’s chief executive, has ruled out the possibility of Andrew Symonds replacing the injured Phil Jaques in Australia’s Test squad in India. Jaques, the reserve opener in the 15-man group, returned home after succumbing to a long-standing back problem.Symonds, David Hussey, Brad Hodge and Shaun Marsh were expected to be the leading candidates to replace Jaques. But Sutherland said Symonds had to go through a “staged process” before he was considered for selection. “He is back playing cricket, which is good, but there is a whole lot of other things that need to be satisfied before we get to a stage for the selectors to have an interest in it,” Sutherland told the .Symonds was omitted from the original squad after he missed a team meeting ahead of the ODI series against Bangladesh in Darwin. As well as satisfying Cricket Australia regarding his attitude, Symonds will need to prove his form before being selected – his 73 in the FR Cup on Saturday was his first innings of note since the Darwin trip.Sutherland said Symonds was working in the right direction to get back in to the side. “I have spent some time with him and I know others have, and the thing I am pleased about is that he knows what he wants to do,” he said. “Perhaps there have been times in the course of the last year when he hasn’t really known what is important to him.”

Tottenham Hotspur have opened ‘preliminary talks’ over a deal for Wolverhampton Wanderers skipper Conor Coady, according to Football Insider. 

Spurs are looking to bring in two centre-backs in the last month of the window with Toby Alderweireld sold and Davinson Sanchez and Eric Dier both up for sale.

And former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito is ‘pushing hard’ for a reunion with Coady in North London.

He could potentially be an alternative to Atalanta’s Cristian Romero, with Spurs struggling to reach an agreement on a fee.

Could Spurs lure one of Wolves’ great servants away from Molineux?

Coady has made 275 appearances for Wolves, having helped them secure promotion back to the Premier League.

His performances earned him a call-up to the England squad for the European Championships, where he provided back-up for John Stones, Harry Maguire and Tyrone Mings.

The 28-year-old isn’t the only Wolves star Spurs reportedly have their eyes. The Mail claim that they are weighing up a move for winger Adama Traore, who’s valued at £45million.

Fan feed Talking Wolves relayed the Coady news, and here’s what supporters made of it.

Wolves fans react to Coady Tottenham links

“If this buys us a quality cb that can actually defend and some change left over so be it, give neves the armband, love coady, great bloke but Bruno wants a back 4 he has no place in the team”

Credit: @dannyboytot

“Take the money. His presence will hold new Wolves back…. Also need more than a cheerleader and bloke than can pass the ball 60 yards.”

Credit: @StevenCross81

“Nuno will raise some cash for us I’m sure, it’s all a big money carousel !!”

Credit: @wolf65834069

“Is there anyone we aren’t selling?”

Credit: @Tom_morgan75

“Tottenham merry go round”

Credit: @Rocester9

“Tottenham Wanderers”

Credit: @JamieUnderwood1

In other news, fans were buzzing over this development.

Geoff Allott, the former New Zealand fast bowler, has been appointed the general manager of cricket with New Zealand Cricket

Cricinfo staff01-Nov-2008
Geoff Allott played ten Tests and 31 one-day internationals © Laurence Griffiths /Allsport
Geoff Allott, the former New Zealand fast bowler, has been appointed the general manager of cricket with New Zealand Cricket (NZC). In the newly-created role, Allott will oversee the cricket operations and coaching, management and selection of the New Zealand side.The new position was created as part of a restructure within NZC this year and Justin Vaughan, the chief executive, said it was a key role for the success of the team. “Geoff brings a track record of achievement, both as a respected international cricketer and through his recent experience building and managing a successful business,” Vaughan said.”This is an important new role for New Zealand Cricket. Geoff will be pulling together our high performance cricket areas, driving world-class performance and ensuring we reach our strategic goals.”Allott, 36, played ten Tests and 31 ODIs in an international career that lasted from 1996 to 2000. A left-arm fast bowler, Allott was one of the stars at the 1999 World Cup, where his 20 wickets put him at the head of the bowling tally equal with Shane Warne. Following his retirement in 2001, Allott moved into a career in banking and finance.”Our game has a good foundation to build on over the coming years and tremendous scope for improvement,” Allott said. “I’m excited about being able to contribute and make a difference.”

Sheffield Wednesday have recently announced that Josh Windass has signed a new contract with the club, which will keep him at Hillsborough until the summer of 2023.

What’s the story?

Windass signed for the club back in 2020, and has gone on to make 53 appearances in total for the Owls, which includes 44 in the 2020/21 season.

The forward netted ten goals and was on hand to provide six assists in all competitions last term, in what was a frustrating season for Wednesday as they were relegated into the third-tier of English football, whilst under the management of Darren Moore.

Windass has been linked with a move to Premier League clubs earlier in the year but has committed his future to the League One club.

Sheffield Wednesday supporters will be hoping that he can return to action at the earliest of opportunities, with Windass currently recovering from a hamstring injury.

‘Explosive’

It’s a real statement of intent by Wednesday to tie Windass down to a new contract, as he’s shown that he’s more than good enough to be playing regularly in the Championship, never mind League One.

The 27-year-old was a rare bright spark for the Owls last term, as they were relegated from the second-tier, and he’s clearly keen on playing his part in their bid for promotion this season.

He was the club’s top goalscorer in the 2020/21 season and will be looking to make up for lost time when he returns from surgery on a hamstring injury.

You don’t attract interest from Premier League clubs by chance, and that shows a considerable amount about the ability that Windass has in his locker.

So, for Wednesday to be able to keep hold of a player of his quality, despite being in League One, it shows a lot about their ambition of wanting to win promotion back into the Championship at the first time of asking.

Speaking in an interview with Football FanCast back in January 2021 after Josh Windass suffered a hamstring injury, his father Dean, labelled his son as ‘explosive runner’.

“He pulled his hamstring last week. So I can say it’s a grade one tear. And he’s out for 10 days.

“He’s a bit gutted you know, but there’s been a lot of games and there’s been a lot of injuries in every club. He’s a quick, explosive runner so you’re going to get injuries like that.”

Sheffield Wednesday will be hoping they can pick up their first win of the season, when they return to action this weekend, as they take on Doncaster Rovers at Hillsborough.

And in other Sheffield Wednesday news, This man isa yet to make a decision about his future….

Wolverhampton Wanderers skipper Conor Coady came under fire during his side’s season opener away to Leicester City. 

It was Bruno Lage’s first competitive game in charge of Wolves after he succeeded Nuno Espirito Santo in the dugout during the summer.

He set out his team in a 3-4-3 formation, with Coady at the heart of the back three, flanked by Max Kilman on the right and Romain Saiss on the left.

Could Coady have prevented Leicester’s opener?

Wolves fell behind just four minutes before half-time as Jamie Vardy opened his account for the season.

Ricardo Pereira, near the corner flag on the right-hand side, fired in a low cross and Vardy was able to get across the front of Coady and divert the ball into the roof of the net on the volley.

The 28-year-old Woles captain earned a SofaScore rating of 6.7 out of 10 for his performance at the King Power Stadium. He played all 90 minutes, recorded 45 touches and lost possession six times.

These Wolves fans slam Coady

A number of Wolves man on Twitter were not happy with the skipper’s display, with one irate fan saying that the defender was “stood in concrete” during the first half.

“Fuming man. Adama absolutely has to score and Coady is a disgrace”

Credit: @adenwwfc_

“Coady stood in concrete as per, BUY A CB JEFF”

Credit: @kylecoyle_

“Coady just let his man run across him for that goal, absolute schoolboy defending”

Credit: @FurlongOisin

“How are Coady and Saiss anywhere near this squad – oh wait, we need to sign some players”

Credit: @craigwwfc35

“Coady has to go man. And stop with these inverted wingers, they don’t work”

Credit: @GeorgeTheStud

“If Mosquera doesn’t bench Coady I will lose all hope for this team”

Credit: @capzwwfc

In other news, Wolves have held talks over a deal for this midfielder. 

Riding on their captain Richard Jones’ unbeaten 186, Auckland finished the day on a commanding 359 for 2 after electing to bat

Cricinfo staff05-Dec-2008
Scorecard

Richard Jones led by example on a good batting deck © Getty Images
The West Indians had a rough start to their New Zealand tour, Auckland completely dominating day one of their three-day match at the Eden Park Outer Oval. Riding on captain Richard Jones’ unbeaten 186, Auckland finished the day on a commanding 359 for 2 after electing to bat.The West Indians enjoyed a good beginning after drizzle forced a delayed start, Fidel Edwards dismissing Martin Guptill for 10, edging to slip. But Jones, in partnership with left-handed opener Tim McIntosh, crafted a 223-run stand that deflated the attack. After helping Auckland to 134 for 1 at lunch, Jones moved briskly to his century. McIntosh fell for 78 shortly before tea, taking his tally for the summer to 418 runs at 69.00, but Jones found another able ally in Reece Young, on 56 at stumps. The two have added 125 so far.Jones, who has played one Test and five ODIs for New Zealand, hit 25 fours and three sixes in his 13th first-class century. Playing in his 108th match, the 35-year-old Jones will resume day two just two runs short of equalling his personal best of 188.The West Indians will resume hoping for a better showing from their bowlers. First Test hopefuls Kemar Roach and Sulieman Benn went wicketless, while Edwards was expensive. Fast bowler Lionel Baker, who impressed in a 3-0 ODI loss to Pakistan last month, collected McIntosh’s wicket.They will expect more from their batsmen on a pitch where domestic cricketers have enjoyed batting this season. Last week’s domestic State Championship match between Auckland and Wellington yielded 974 runs for only 12 wickets in a rain-reduced affair.This fixture is the only practice match for the tourists ahead of the first of two Tests against New Zealand, starting in Dunedin next Thursday.