Robiul Islam in Bangladesh squad for England

Fast bowler Robiul Islam is the only uncapped player in the Bangladesh Test squad for the tour of England scheduled for May 2010

Cricinfo staff03-May-2010Fast bowler Robiul Islam is the only uncapped player in the Bangladesh Test squad for the tour of England scheduled for May 2010. Mashrafe Mortaza, who made a comeback to the national side for the World Twenty20, has not been included but Mohammad Ashraful is recalled to the Test side.Robiul, 23, represents Khulna Division in domestic cricket and has claimed 102 first-class wickets in 30 appearances. He has also played for the GP-BCB National Cricket Academy and the Bangladesh A Team.”He brings in a lot of energy and has brisk pace. Robiul is strong and aggressive and we feel he can be a handy option in English conditions,” said Rafiqul Alam, the chairman of selectors.Robiul will head to England along with fellow seamers Shahadat Hossain, Mahbubul Alam and opening batsman Junaid Siddique. The other members of the squad will fly directly to England at the end of Bangladesh’s World Twenty20 campaign. Mortaza, who is participating in that tournament, will return home along with Syed Rasel, Aftab Ahmed and Suhrawadi Shuvo.Squad Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Mohammad Ashraful, Junaid Siddique, Jahurul Islam, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim (vice-capt/wk), Naeem Islam, Abdur Razzak, Shahadat Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Mahbubul Alam and Robiul Islam.

Everton transfer news on Philippe Coutinho

Lots of Everton fans have been left fuming over some transfer news which has emerged on Philippe Coutinho.

As per The Daily Mail, the Goodison Park club have now been offered the chance to sign the former Liverpool playmaker in the January transfer window.

His representatives have spoken to the Toffees about a possible deal, but it is not clear whether Rafael Benitez will end up pursuing it.

Coutinho’s Anfield connections may turn the Everton fanbase against any move, given that some Blues made it clear that they did not want Benitez for that reason, and the midfielder’s statistics have been largely underwhelming at Barcelona.

The Brazil international is 29 years of age as well and is likely past his peak years, so the Toffees would do well to avoid signing him.

Everton fans on Coutinho transfer news

These Everton supporters were left fuming as the transfer news on Coutinho was shared on Twitter:

“God I feel ill”

Credit: @james_gavo3

“Here we go”

Credit: @BT_1878

“Another washed up injury prone player. No thanks”

Credit: @ToffeeTosh1878

“Won’t have learnt a thing.”

Credit: @eideangm

“We never learn, do we”

Credit: @efcsam16

“Of course Kia has, the absolute clown”

Credit: @bluesofgoodison

In other news, another transfer update has had lots of Everton fans buzzing

Leeds: Nandez and Kamara update emerges

Leeds United could soon make a proposal for Cagliari attacking midfielder Nahitan Nandez, according to Tuttomercatoweb.com.

The Lowdown: Two midfielders wanted

Marcelo Bielsa is without key man Kalvin Philips until March, meaning Leeds’ midfield options are down to the bare bones. Following the England star’s injury against Brentford last month, Victor Orta has laid the groundwork for two midfield additions over the coming weeks.

It is believed that the Whites now want two midfielders instead of one, with a number six and number eight on the agenda.

Nandez, who was wanted at Elland Road over the summer, appears to be on the radar once again, along with Marseille’s Boubacar Kamara.

The Latest: Nandez proposal soon

Tuttomercatoweb.com shared a story late on Tuesday evening, claiming Orta and co could soon make a proposal for Nandez.

They also added that Kamara is a midfield target for Bielsa, while Nandez’s valuation has dropped to €20m.

The Verdict: Big money?

Nandez holds a Transfermarkt valuation of £16.2m, whereas Kamara’s stands at £22.5m – so the pair could burn a serious hole in Andrea Radrizzani and the 49ers group’s pockets.

However, midfield additions are needed in Yorkshire for the second half of the season and beyond, with the Whites’ first goal to guarantee a third season of Premier League football, with more ambitious objectives perhaps lined up after that.

You’d expect Kamara is viewed as the number six addition and Nandez the number eight, and with both extremely versatile, they could fit into Bielsa’s squad effortlessly, should moves go through.

In other news: Sky Sports drop live-on-air Leeds transfer update regarding midfielder pursuit. 

WADA asks ICC to comply by November 2011

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) today asked the ICC to give a final push to convince its member boards to accept the contentious whereabouts clause by November 2011, failing which it would be declared non-compliant to the WADA code

Cricinfo staff25-May-2010The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) today asked the ICC to give a final push to convince its member boards to accept the contentious whereabouts clause by November 2011, failing which it would be declared non-compliant to the WADA code.”We don’t set deadlines. Being a signatory, we expect the ICC and cricket to remain committed to the WADA Code. The ICC has done a lot in the last three years, now they just need to give the final push,” WADA director general David Howman told reporters.The whereabouts clause requires cricketers to furnish details of their location three months in advance. India’s cricketers, backed by the BCCI, rejected the WADA code because of this clause, saying it represented a violation of privacy and a security threat. Howman said that it was up to the ICC to convince BCCI and other member boards ahead of the November 2011 deadline.”The ICC is responsible for its member boards. ICC’s job is to ensure that member boards comply with the WADA Code. We are going to have our next review in November 2011 and by that time if ICC fails to convince its member boards to comply with the Code, we will declare them non-compliant in our report to the International Olympic Committee. We don’t have the purview to take actions against any non-complaint member, it is IOC and respective Olympic Council’s prerogative,” Howman said.Howman defended the whereabouts clause with the logic that India’s cricketers were on the road for a major part of the year, during which their whereabouts were public knowledge, and hence disclosing the same for the remaining days in the year was not a security threat.”Let me say ‘why’, and I don’t identify any one player here. But if I were living in this country, I would know where these players were, probably, for 250 days a year. So, if it’s going to be a security issue for 250 days of a year, I know how to breach that security because I know where they are. So if this information is pertaining to the other 115 days (of the year), where’s the breach?” he asked.Howman also hit out at Indian cricketers who sought to take refuge in Indian constitution’s ‘freedom to privacy’ clause. “If I tend to the issue of the (Indian) constitution, that’s nonsense. There’s no breach of the Indian constitution in acquiring the ‘whereabouts’ information. I just think it’s a red-herring and the red-herring should be caught, dried, smoked and eaten. And then we get rid of it,” he said.Cricket is set to make its debut in the Asian Games in Guangzhou, and pending acceptance of the code, India’s participation in the event could be under jeopardy. Howman said it would be up to the Olympic Council of Asia to take a call on the issue.Howman insisted that the whereabouts clause was not an infringement on privacy, citing the example of the large number of professional sportspeople who have accepted it. “More than 13,000 athletes are giving their whereabouts, so it is not a big deal. There are no constitutional problems, no breach of privacy but I will be more than happy to engage in discussion with cricketers,” he said.”We will ask BCCI to liaise with the National Anti-Doping Agency to form an anti-doping programme fit for India. Anil Kumble is a member of WADA and understands the rule. He is not concerned by it,” Howman said.

Newcastle contact PSG over Keylor Navas

An update has emerged on Newcastle United’s efforts to sign Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas in the January transfer window…

What’s the talk?

According to RMC Sport, the Magpies have made an enquiry over a deal to sign the Paris Saint-Germain and former Real Madrid shot-stopper.

The report claims that PSG have turned down the Tynesiders’ initial move for the veteran, but it remains to be seen whether or not they will come back with another approach.

Get it done

Eddie Howe must ensure that Newcastle go back in with another swoop for Navas in an attempt to change PSG’s mind this month. Whilst the Ligue 1 leaders may have turned down an opening enquiry, there are still two weeks left in the transfer window and time for the Magpies to turn PSG’s heads.

The 35-year-old has been forced to share goalkeeping duties with Italy international Gianluigi Donnarumma this season, and the prospect of regular first-team football could be tempting for him. Newcastle could offer him the chance to come in and play every single match in the Premier League, whereas that may not be the case in Ligue 1 for PSG as he splits game-time with the 22-year-old.

Navas could be an excellent addition to the Magpies’ squad and improve the quality between the sticks for Howe’s side, as he has proven himself at the very top level over a number of years.

 

PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino previously lauded the shot-stopper saying: “Navas once again showed all his qualities. He’s a top-level goalkeeper. He’s one of the best keepers in the world.”

Last year, the Argentine said of him: “We can say his actions show his quality. He just proves that he’s at the highest level in the world.

“I think we all saw him tonight. There are good and bad times in football. In a match, you have to know how to hold on. We were able to do that, with the help of our great goalkeeper, who made the difference.”

He has a career average WhoScored rating of 6.96, showing that he has remained consistently brilliant throughout his time with Levante, Real Madrid and PSG. Navas kept 56 clean sheets in 162 matches at the Bernabeu and has racked up 44 clean sheets in 97 games in France to date.

This shows that the 35-year-old is well able to perform for some of the biggest clubs in Europe, which suggests that he will easily adapt to playing in the Premier League. That is why Newcastle must change PSG’s stance on the goalkeeper and work hard to try and bring him in this month.

AND in other news, Terms agreed: NUFC closing in on third January signing who will leave Howe elated…

West Indies unchanged for second Test

West Indies have named an unchanged squad for the second Test against South Africa at St Kitts, despite losing the opening game in Trinidad heavily by 163 runs

Cricinfo staff16-Jun-2010West Indies have named an unchanged squad for the second Test against South Africa at St Kitts, despite losing the opening game in Trinidad heavily by 163 runs. Fast bowler Kemar Roach has been retained, implying that he has recovered fully from the ankle injury which ruled him out of the five-match ODI series before the first Test.The frontline seamers in Trinidad, Ravi Rampaul and debutant Nelon Pascal, went wicketless in both innings. Dwayne Bravo took one wicket while the remaining 13 wickets which fell were accounted for by the spinners. Roach’s raw pace and ability to bowl yorkers with the new ball will come in handy for West Indies, should they play him at Warner Park.However, the batting has been the biggest worry. West Indies crumbled to 102 in their first innings in Trinidad and, chasing 457 in their second, managed just 293 with only the captain Chris Gayle passing fifty.Squad: Chris Gayle (Capt), Dwayne Bravo (vice-captain), Travis Dowlin, Brendan Nash, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Narsingh Deonarine, Darren Bravo, Denesh Ramdin, Darren Sammy, Sulieman Benn, Shane Shillingford, Ravi Rampaul, Nelon Pascal, Kemar Roach

West Ham table Ekitike bid

As per le10sport, a West Ham United transfer update has emerged from France as Rob Newman and co table a fresh offer for new striker target Hugo Ekitike.

The Lowdown: West Ham in striker search…

Manager David Moyes, as things stand, is still on the search for a new striking addition over one year after club record signing Sebastien Haller departed for Ajax.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-updates/” title=”West Ham latest updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

A plethora of forwards have been linked since then, including sensational names like Brazil international Gabriel Barbosa and Lille sensation Jonathan David.

Alas, despite the reports, West Ham still haven’t sealed an alternative to Michail Antonio but that hasn’t stopped them from trying – with the Irons and Newman now tabling an offer for another new target.

The Latest: West Ham table Ekitike bid…

As per le10sport, West Ham have ‘just transmitted an offer’ of around €15 million (£12.5m) to sign Reims striker Ekitike – with the Irons and Newman even willing to loan him back to the Ligue 1 side for six months.

This bid, they claim, is the only one they have received for Ekitike despite reports of a possible €35m (£29.1m) offer from Newcastle United for the forward.

The report add that the 19-year-old is ‘very popular’ in England as he becomes a man in demand – with the Irons, Newcastle and Watford all interested.

The Verdict: Real prospect…

The teenage talent, scoring eight goals and assisting three others in 18 top flight starts this season (Transfermarkt), is in a really rich vein of form at such a young age – leaving little wonder why he is attracting major English interest.

90min reporter and transfer insider Graeme Bailey is certainly a big admirer, branding Ekitike an ‘outstanding’ forward whilst even claiming he ‘could be the next Mbappe’ (Twitter).

As Moyes and co scour France for some of the nation’s top talent, as backed by insider ExWHUemployee, they couldn’t do much better than Reims’ sensation as a real prospect to watch out for.

With any luck, West Ham and Newman can win the race in January.

In other news: ExWHUemployee: West Ham could now move for 63-goal ‘monster’ adored by Irons chiefs, find out more here.

Scotland and Ireland post warm-up wins

A round-up of the ICC World Cricket League Division One warm-up matches held on June 29

Cricinfo staff30-Jun-2010
Scorecard
Paul Stirling’s century set up Ireland’s victory•Getty ImagesScotland’s batsmen tuned up for the ICC World Cricket League with a strong performance which set up a comfortable victory over Afghanistan. After being put in, Scotland’s openers set the pattern with a 56-run stand, which was followed by three more healthy partnerships. Each of the top five got starts, with No. 4 Richie Berrington top-scoring with 69. Though left-arm medium-pacer Khaliq Dad struck thrice late in the innings, Scotland finished with a hefty 283. Afghanistan’s chase was hampered by a steady loss of wickets, but they battled on to 145 for 4 with the help of captain Nawroz Mangal’s half-century. A couple of quick strikes, though, ended their chances and they hobbled their way to 218 all out.
Scorecard
Ireland showcased their dominance of the second tier of international cricket when a century from Paul Stirling helped them overhaul a stiff target against Canada with four overs to spare. Canada’s captain Ashish Bagai (84) and No. 3 Zubin Surkari (62) were involved in a 99-run third-wicket stand that was the centerpiece of their side’s batting. A late flourish from Sunil Dhaniram, who slammed three sixes and three fours, took them to a solid 259. Ireland’s chase stuttered early when opener Nigel Jones went cheaply but Stirling stitched together a couple of big partnerships for the next two wickets to shepherd them towards victory.
Scorecard
Kenya put aside the turmoil that has stalked their cricket over the past couple of weeks to post a five-wicket win over Netherlands in their warm-up match in Schiedam. Collins Obuya was their star performer, making a century after the top three perished for ducks during Kenya’s pursuit of 219. From 5 for 3 in the fourth over, Obuya and Alex Obanda revived Kenya with a patient partnership of 116 runs. Francis Otieno then assisted Obuya, the pair adding 88 to take Kenya to the brink of a win. Netherlands had earlier had a poor start as well, but recovered from 13 for 2 to reach a respectable 218. Their top-scorer was Peter Borren, who missed a century by four runs, while Bradley Kruger chipped in with a watchful 37 off 79 deliveries.

NUFC: Magpies closing in on defender deal

A Newcastle United transfer claim has been made, regarding their pursuit of Sevilla beast Diego Carlos…

What’s the talk?

Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie has revealed that the Magpies are in talks over a swoop for the centre-back as they look to strike a deal for £30m.

PIF are looking to improve Eddie Howe’s squad and could now be on the verge of making their third signing of the transfer window, following on from the arrivals of Chris Wood and Kieran Trippier earlier in the month.

Downie Tweeted: “Diego Carlos has told Sevilla he wants to leave for Newcastle United. @SkyKaveh is told the Brazilian defender is handing in a transfer request to the club President. Newcastle are in advanced discussions with the Spanish club. Fee being discussed in region of £30m #NUFC.”

Delight

Newcastle fans will surely be delighted with this news as it suggests that the club are finally close to sealing a move for the centre-back.

They will also be buzzing with the fact that the player is desperate enough to make the switch that he has been willing to go as far as to hand in a transfer request. It shows a desire from Carlos to join the Toon Army and supporters will love to see the passion from him to get the deal done.

 

The Magpies need defensive reinforcements to bolster their XI as they have struggled badly in that department throughout the campaign. Only Norwich have conceded more goals in the Premier League than Eddie Howe’s team and this suggests that they need players to come in and strengthen the backline.

In Carlos, they could be about to land someone who is able to do exactly that. He has proven his quality in La Liga for Sevilla as he has been consistently delivering quality performances and that shows that he can perform at the top level.

The Brazilian defender has averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.14 in the Spanish top flight. He has helped them to keep an impressive ten clean sheets in 19 games, whereas Newcastle have only kept one clean sheet so far this season – in their only win of the campaign against Burnley.

Therefore, Carlos would surely have the ability to come in and lift the Toon defence to ensure that they keep more clean sheets and give themselves a better chance of picking up points.

Being able to score goals is almost useless if you cannot rely on your backline to avoid conceding two or three goals per match and that is why fans will be delighted with this potential deal for the Sevilla man.

AND in other news,  “Legitimate interest”: Journo drops key NUFC transfer claim that’ll leave fans buzzing…

Modi's lawyers want minutes of BCCI meetings

Lalit Modi’s legal counsel has asked the Disciplinary Committee formed by the BCCI to provide him with minutes of meetings of the Special General Body of the Board and the IPL Governing Council

Cricinfo staff24-Jul-2010Lalit Modi’s legal counsel has asked the disciplinary committee formed by the BCCI to hear his case to provide him with minutes of meetings of the special general body of the board and the IPL governing council. The suspended IPL chairman has also asked for a copy of the amended agreement between the board and Sony-MSM, the parent company of the league’s Indian broadcaster.”We have asked for some documents. These are crucial to the proceedings which are already underway as the disciplinary committee and the jurisdiction of the disciplinary committee flows from these documents,” Modi’s lawyer Mehmood Abdi told .”It is essential for us to have access to these documents since the contents we’ve asked will have far-reaching implications for us. BCCI should provide us these documents as the same have implications on the core-issue of recusal, which the disciplinary committee is scheduled to finally decide at its meeting on July 27, 2010 in Delhi.”Modi had filed additional documents to bolster his demand for the removal of interim IPL chairman Chirayu Amin and BCCI vice-president Arun Jaitley from the disciplinary committee that is hearing his case. Modi has repeatedly demanded the removal of Amin from the panel, claiming he holds a grudge because Modi revealed he was part of a failed bid for one of the two new IPL franchises. Modi’s lawyers have also argued Jaitley should not be on the panel either because he had voted to ratify the charges against Modi at the board’s special general body meeting on July 3.”The Board has pleaded before the Bombay High Court that the appointment of the present committee and its charter flows out of the decision taken by the members of the Board in the said meeting,” Modi said. “The jurisdiction of the present committee stems from the said minutes hence it is necessary that these be provided to the applicant.”

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