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Zimbabwe’s cricketers were given a guarantee of $12,500 each by the Pakistan Cricket Board before they agreed to tour that country for a historic series last month, ESPNcricinfo has learned

Firdose Moonda03-Jun-2015Zimbabwe’s cricketers were given a guarantee of US$12,500 each by the Pakistan Cricket Board before they agreed to tour that country for a historic series last month, ESPNcricinfo has learned. The tour, the first by a Full Member team since March 2009, went ahead despite advice to the contrary from the Zimbabwe government’s Sports and Recreation Committee (SRC).The individual payments were part of the US$500,000 the PCB is understood to have paid Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) before the tour. The PCB has not commented on the issue of any financial payments to ZC or the players.The amount paid to the individual players is substantially more than nationally contracted Zimbabwean cricketers’ monthly salaries, which are US$6,500 a month at their maximum and comes with the players still waiting to be paid their World Cup fees.The PCB initially offered Zimbabwe’s players US$10,000 each, which a significant number of players felt was too little given the safety concerns. That was the reason behind ZC issuing a press release on May 14, eight days before the first match, confirming the suspension of the tour on the instructions of the SRC. Less than half an hour later, ZC recanted and said discussions were ongoing between the PCB and ZC. Insiders have revealed this was when the PCB upped their offer to Zimbabwe’s cricketers, offering to pay those that were still wary even more money to make the trip.An agreement was reached on US$12,500 although one source believes some players may have still negotiated more money. The money is understood to have been paid in two amounts, the first on arrival and the second at the conclusion of the series, which could explain why Zimbabwe stayed on despite a suicide attack during their second ODI.ZC is also believed to have benefitted financially from agreeing to be the first Test-playing team to tour Pakistan since 2009. One source revealed that Ozias Bvute, the former managing director of ZC, played a role in securing the deals even though he resigned from his post in July 2012. His resignation followed his implication in the mismanagement of an ICC loan to ZC but he remained an advisor to the board.Bvute traveled with the Zimbabwe team as the head of their delegation, and ZC chairman Wilson Manase said his role was because of his experience in the country. “Because of the terrain, I had to look back at the people we have in the administration who have the experience and I realised that Ozias Bvute has been to Pakistan before,” Manase told . “Bvute was the most suitable candidate…We need someone like him who can understand what to do, what to say to the players among other things.”The Zimbabwean team’s experience in Pakistan was described by several players in favourable terms. Sikandar Raza tweeted that Zimbabwe were”welcomed with open arms, smiles and love,” while Craig Ervine said he was “loving the passion for cricket in Pakistan,” and thanked the PCB for the “hospitality and security over this tour.”Over 3,500 security officials were deployed to look after the Zimbabwe team, whose only movement in Lahore was between the hotel and the Gaddafi stadium. They were due to go shopping the day before their final ODI but the trip was cancelled after the suicide attack.

Marlon Samuels walked into the post-final press conference with the serious air of a man who had suffered and had come back to script an achievement so rare and so stunning that a jaunty expression might belittle his accomplishment

Abhishek Purohit in Colombo08-Oct-2012Marlon Samuels walked into the post-final press conference with the serious air of a man who had suffered and had come back to script an achievement so rare and so stunning that a jaunty expression might belittle his accomplishment. About the only time he broke into bit of a smile was when he spoke about taking on Lasith Malinga.Samuels has had a mercurial career, having also been banned for two years in 2008 for actions that could bring him or the game into disrepute. He spoke of how difficult a time it had been. “The career has been up and down,” Samuels said. “There have been a lot of tough times. I dealt with them in simple ways and tried to let them pass. Being under pressure on a cricket field is nothing compared to what I’ve been through off the field.”As my mentor always said to me, everything that happened to me in life is because I’m important. I’m not someone that will ever give up. I never say die. The person that I am deep down inside is the reason why I am still here playing cricket. I have a family that believes in me. If outsiders don’t, it doesn’t really matter to me.”Samuels said the World Twenty20 triumph had shown to the world that West Indies cricket was back, and hoped that would bring back a lot of fans to watch the team. “We haven’t been winning any major title for years now,” Samuels said. “This is a great achievement, for past cricketers and for these cricketers who have bonded together to form a strong unit.””In the past, we had some near misses but nevertheless, God willing, we came out on top. This is T20, but it can bring a lot of fans to watch us. Around the world, people still love to watch West Indies cricket. It is wonderful to bring back new people and people who have been watching cricket for a long time.”We will celebrate as long as possible and enjoy the moment. This is a moment to cherish, and cherish forever. The entire Caribbean embraces it [the trophy]. The sky is the limit and words can’t really explain it. It means the world to us.”Samuels was almost single-handedly responsible for West Indies getting to 137 for 6 after they had been 32 for 2 at the halfway mark. Half of his 78 runs came in just 11 deliveries against Lasith Malinga, who he hit for five sixes and a four. “I was waiting there for someone to come and build a partnership,” Samuels said. “Since that did not happen, I decided to take on Malinga. From last night, I was playing Malinga in my mind and I decided to take him on.”I only faced him one time [in the IPL] in the first game against Mumbai [Indians], and he got me out bowled,” Samuels said. “I was very upset. This was my time today to get back at him.”Once West Indies had got close to 140, Samuels was confident of their chances. “Having batted most of the overs on the pitch, my advice was that it was still a challenging total,” he said. “The pitch was a tough one. As long as we could get some quick wickets and put the pressure on Sri Lanka, it would work in our favour.”

Rest of India amassed 663 in the first innings after which they reduced Rajasthan to 53 for 3 by stumps in Jaipur

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Oct-2011
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsRahul Sharma scored 52 off 38 balls•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

After ensuring they could not lose the Irani Cup outright to Rajasthan on the first day, Rest of India took a giant stride towards winning it outright on the second, continuing their commanding batting performance and making inroads with the new ball. Rest of India amassed 663 in the first innings after which they reduced Rajasthan to 53 for 3 by stumps in Jaipur.The platform for Rest of India’s mammoth first-innings score had been laid on the first day, when Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane scored centuries to lead their side to 400 for 3. Rahane continued Deepak Chahar’s torment this morning, cutting his first ball to the point boundary. Three balls later Rahane dismissed another short delivery to the cover boundary. Chahar had been expensive and wicketless on the first day. He suffered a similar fate today, and ended with 0 for 168 in 35 overs.Aniket Choudhary, on the other hand, gave Rajasthan a positive start, dismissing Parthiv Patel caught behind with the second new ball in the day’s third over. Patel was gone for 55, his overnight score. There was no respite for Rajasthan, though, as a succession of batsmen – specialist and tailender – came in and contributed usefully to Rest of India’s cause.Rahane, on 152, was the next to fall, driving Sumit Mathur in the air to cover, leaving Rest of India on 489 for 5. Mandeep Singh then contributed 60 off 80 balls, fast bowlers Vinay Kumar and Varun Aaron made 40s, and legspinner Rahul Sharma blitzed 52 off 38 balls. Sharma’s innings contained five sixes and served to pound an already weary Rajasthan team. Rest of India’s innings ended on 663 just before the tea break, giving Rajasthan a session to bat after spending five in the field.Rajasthan’s start was in stark contrast to Rest of India’s. While Dhawan and Mukund had raced yesterday morning, Aakash Chopra and Vineet Saxena were slow and cautious. They had scored only 7 off 6.5 overs when Saxena hit the first boundary. A couple of overs later, Saxena was gone, edging one that seamed away from Umesh Yadav to the wicketkeeper. Rajasthan were 25 for 1. Yadav found another edge, from the experienced Hrishikesh Kanitkar, to reduce Rajasthan to 44 for 2.Chopra had battled patiently for his 20, hitting only three boundaries in 70 balls, but his vigil ended in the last over of the day. Pragyan Ojha had come on to bowl his left-arm spin and Chopra used his feet, mis-cueing the loft towards long-on where Yadav held the catch. The wicket capped a near-perfect day for Rest of India, and left Rajasthan needing a monumental effort to avoid the follow-on.

Ian Bell has been added to England’s squad for the remaining two one-day internationals in the NatWest Series against Pakistan

Cricinfo staff19-Sep-2010Batsman Ian Bell, who scored a century in Saturday’s CB40 final, has been added to England’s squad for the remaining two one-day internationals in the NatWest Series against Pakistan.Bell has not been part of the England set-up since breaking a bone in his foot while fielding during the second one-day international against Bangladesh at Bristol earlier this summer. He has since recovered from the metatarsal injury, scoring 107 off 95 balls in Warwickshire’s victory over Somerset at Lord’s.”It’s fantastic to have him back in the squad,” Andrew Strauss, the England captain, said. “He wasn’t in originally because we weren’t sure about where he was in his recovery and he needed some cricket for Warwickshire. He’s played very well and strengthens are squad to give us more options batting wise.”Bell made a successful return to the one-day squad in the first match against Bangladesh, where he struck an unbeaten 84 to seal victory at Trent Bridge but was soon back on the sidelines after his injury at Bristol. With England’s impressive one-day form it’s a battle to find a place in the line-up, especially with Kevin Pietersen to return, but Bell feels he is now coming into his prime.”I’ll just keep working as hard as I can to get in the side in one-day cricket as well as Test cricket,” he said. “I feel I’m improving all the time. I’m desperate to keep improving because at 28 the best years are still to come.”It’s been great to be back on field. When I did the injury the England guys and the specialists erred on the side of safety,” Bell added. “The surgeon suggested eight weeks off, I probably could have played after seven but was it worth risking it ahead of aus? Probably not.”So hats off to the ECB – Kirk Russell [the physio] and Nick Pierce the doctor got it right in terms of giving myself enough time but also getting some cricket under my belt.”Paul Collingwood, who missed the third one-dayer at The Oval with a virus, trained with the squad on Sunday at Lord’s and is likely to be available. Strauss confirmed that Bell wasn’t in as cover and will stand an equal chance of being selected.

A major update has emerged on Sunderland’s search for a new manager this week…

What’s the talk?

Daily Mail reporter Craig Hope has revealed the Black Cats are unlikely to confirm their latest head coach before the weekend’s League One action. The club are in talks with multiple candidates over the role, with Kristjaan Speakman hard at work to source Lee Johnson’s replacement at the Stadium of Light.

Hope tweeted on Thursday night: “Sunderland interviewed former Hull boss Grant McCann today. Roy Keane remains the top choice of many within the club & will also be spoken to. However, an appointment is unlikely to be confirmed before Saturday’s game against Doncaster.”

Gutted

Sunderland fans will surely be gutted by this news for multiple reasons.

Firstly, it suggests that the club did not have a clear plan in place when they sacked Johnson after the 6-0 defeat to Bolton. Although Roy Keane appears to be the favourite for the job, they are looking at more than one manager and it seems as though they did not have a clear choice in mind at the time of the ex-Bristol City coach’s sacking.

This will frustrate fans and leave them wondering how meticulous the planning is behind the scenes, possibly giving supporters flashbacks to the time that a scout placed Zlatan Ibrahimovic on a list of potential targets while he was still at Ajax. The gaffe highlighted issues at the Stadium of Light and the concerns over those problems may resurface if the club do not make a decision on Johnson’s replacement quickly.

The supporters will also be gutted over the time involved in making the decision because of what it could mean on the pitch. Sunderland have an interim coaching setup in place and this leaves a cloud of confusion over the players as they wonder who their next manager will be and whether or not they will be in his plans, which could affect results on the pitch in the meantime.

Doncaster travel to the Stadium of Light on Saturday and the Black Cats faithful may well be frustrated not to see a new man in the helm, which could be intensified if they go on to draw or lose the match. They are third in the League One table as it stands and every point is crucial in their bid to secure automatic promotion, which is why fans will be gutted with the time it is taking to bring someone in as Johnson’s successor.

AND in other news, Exciting new name emerges in Sunderland manager search, he’s better than Roy Keane…

حقق فريق الوحدة الفوز على نظيره الباطن، بهدفين دون رد، في المباراة التي أقيمت اليوم الإثنين، ضمن منافسات الدوري السعودي.

الوحدة واجه الباطن في إطار مواجهات الأسبوع السابع من عمر بطولة دوري روشن السعودي، على ملعب الملك عبد العزيز.

وسجل أهداف الوحدة، ألبرتو بوتيا في الدقيقة 42، وأحرز الثاني حسين أحمد العيسي في الدقيقة 56.

طالع | الهلال والشباب فئة أولى.. وزارة الرياضة السعودية تعلن التصنيف الإداري للأندية

وبذلك الفوز، يحتل فريق الوحدة المركز التاسع في جدول ترتيب الدوري السعودي برصيد 7 نقاط.

بينما يتواجد فريق الباطن في المركز الأخير بنقطة واحدة. أهداف فوز الوحدة على الباطن في الدوري السعودي

Rangers’ rarely-seen midfielder Stephen Kelly has been backed for a loan move away from the club during the current January transfer window by former Ibrox striker Kenny Miller.

Speaking recently to Clyde 1’s Superscoreboard (via The Scottish Sun), the 42-year-old had this to say about the possibility of the club loaning Kelly out this month:

“There’s been a number of clubs mentioned with Stephen over the last two or three days and I’m sure he’ll end up somewhere playing in the first team. I think Kilmarnock is a big club with title aspirations so it would be a good fit for both parties.”

As a product of Rangers’ youth system, Kelly has had two previous loan spells away from the club, firstly with Ayr United in 2019 and then with Ross County the following year.

With just three senior appearances for the Gers so far across all competitions, it doesn’t seem likely that Giovanni van Bronckhorst will be giving the 21-year-old regular playing time throughout the remainder of the campaign.

Taking this into account, it seems that a loan move away from the club this month could be very beneficial for Kelly and his career development.

With six goals and four assists in 33 appearances with Ayr, followed by three assists in 29 appearances for Ross County, he has shown that he is capable of playing regularly at a decent level.

Labelled a “magnificent” player during his time in Dingwall by John Hughes, who then went on to describe Kelly as a “manager’s dream”, the midfielder certainly seems to have what it takes to succeed away from Rangers on loan, before potentially coming back and staking a claim to be in Van Bronckhorst’s side for the foreseeable future.

If he can do just that, he then has the potential to save the club millions in future transfer fees should the Gers see any of their current midfielders such as Glen Kamara or Joe Aribo, both of whom have been linked with a move to Aston Villa recently, leave Ibrox. Should that happen, it might just pave the way for Kelly to finally take his place in the Light Blues’ first team.

In other news: Jordan Campbell drops key Rangers transfer claim, Van Bronckhorst will be buzzing…

Liverpool will take on AC Milan tonight in a Champions League clash that means very little to the Merseyside giants’ campaign but will mean everything to their opponents who desperately need to win this game to boost their chances of moving forward in the competition.

Jurgen Klopp will go into this game with full confidence and nothing to lose, as Liverpool have taken maximum points and subsequently qualified with ease from their group in the Champions League after five wins out of five so far.

Despite being through to the knock out stages already, the German manager is not the type to happily concede a game and will be fully intending to continue the unbeaten run Liverpool find themselves holding on to in Europe this season, with the potential to qualify on maximum points.

If the Reds beat AC Milan at the San Siro this evening, they will become the first English side in the history of the Champions League to win every single group stage game, a record that we’re sure Klopp would love to have under his belt.

With that being said, Klopp will be buzzing to learn that his opposition go into this game with a number of injury concerns that could have a negative impact on their chances to put goals past the in form Reds, and will only encourage the German coach further to rotate his team with ease.

Milan have been dealt a double injury blow ahead of hosting the six-time Champions League winners, with both Pietro Pellegri and Rafael Leao set to miss out on the action due to sustaining muscular injuries.

These fresh injuries couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Italian giants, as they need to take all three points off the Merseyside outfit in the upcoming clash to qualify for a spot in the final stages of the competition, currently on four points in third position of the group, one point behind Porto.

It also represents a huge boost for the 19-time English champions as Leao has proven to be a devastating asset in the final third this term, scoring five and assisting three times. Thus, Liverpool’s defence will likely have an easier night defending their own goal, presenting them with the opportunity to perhaps field a young makeshift backline.

Not only will Milan need win tonight’s game, but they will also need to hope Porto do not take maximum points from their last game against bottom of the group, Atletico Madrid, who are also only on four points.

Atletico still have their chance to qualify too despite being bottom of Group B, needing to take three points from their last fixture against Porto and will need Liverpool to beat Milan.

Whilst the rest of their Champions League group remains open, Liverpool are now in a position to give their key players a rest and let their squad from the bench and youngsters step into cover positions, gaining a start in the line up and some much-needed game time on Tuesday evening.

In other news: Klopp could finally sign Wijnaldum replacement

MatériaMais Notícias

Após perder em casa por 1 a 0 para o São Paulo e chegar a seis partidas sem vitória, o clima no Atlético Goianiense já é de rebaixamento. Na lanterna do Campeonato Brasileiro somando 27 pontos, o Dragão ainda tem chances matemáticas de escapar, comissão técnica e diretoria já falam em terminar com dignidade e se planejar para 2018.

Durante a coletiva, o treinador João Paulo Sanches não questionou as perguntas sobre a queda e falou que o objetivo agora é honrar a camisa atleticana e trabalhar dentro da atual realidade.

– Nós vamos continuar firme enquanto tivermos por aqui porque o Atlético merece muito respeito e nós vamos sempre respeitá-lo. Sabemos o que estamos passando e passando cada dia mais. Se tem uma coisa que eu nunca fiz aqui foi omitir ou esconder alguma situação deles (jogadores) e eu te garanto que lá dentro (do vestiário) nós somos muito cientes do que nós estamos passando e nós vamos continuar cada vez mais dignificando esta camisa – declarou o técnico.

O deputado Jovair Arantes, que também presidente do Conselho Deliberativo já jogou a toalha assumidamente e fala em planejar o time para jogar a Série B em 2018 e voltar para a elite em 2019 com mais força. Para o dirigente, faltou investimento para se igualar às outras equipes do campeonato.

– Mantivemos o mesmo time da Série B. O planejamento foi manter o time do ano passado. (se investíssemos) Nós iríamos gastar tudo que tínhamos, manteríamos nossas dividas, e não nos igualaríamos aos principais times. Agora vamos jogar uma série B o ano que vem com tranquilidade e voltar para a série A. Vai ser mais um ano se sofrimento para voltarmos à Série A novamente – afirmou.

Fletcher, who currently works in an advisory capacity with South Africa, has not held a full-time coaching position since parting ways with England after the team’s ill-fated 2007 World Cup campaign

Alex Brown02-Nov-2009

Duncan Fletcher is understood to have expressed interest in returning to the international coaching ranks with New Zealand. Fletcher, who currently works in an advisory capacity with South Africa, has not held a full-time coaching position since parting ways with England after the team’s ill-fated 2007 World Cup campaign.Justin Vaughan, New Zealand Cricket’s (NZC’s) chief executive, would not confirm whether he had been in contact with Fletcher, but hinted the Ashes-winning coach could come under the board’s microscope when a shortlist is drawn up over the coming weeks for the post vacated by Andy Moles last month. Unlike several other touted candidates, Fletcher could take on the job at short notice – he is currently without a full-time job, having been overlooked for the head coaching position with the Kolkata Knight Riders – and would bring with him a wealth of experience from his nine years at the helm of England.”Duncan Fletcher is obviously a very highly regarded and well-credentialled coach,” Vaughan said. “We are not going to disclose any candidates who have contacted us, or whom we might have contacted, but it’s fair to say that there has been a lot of interest from around the world.”For us, the most important thing is to find a coach who brings the right chemistry, skills and experience to the position. There has certainly been interest from coaches with international experience from all over the world. It’s still quite early … (and) we do not want to be progressing with discussions with any coaches until we are certain of the template of candidate we’re looking for. We would certainly value recent international experience – it couldn’t be someone from 20 years ago. A successful international coaching career would give someone extra points.”Fletcher could join a list of contenders that includes John Wright, the former coach of India, and John Dyson, who has led Sri Lanka and West Indies. The salary could yet loom as a sticking point, with NZC unable to go close to matching the estimated £300,000-a-year contract once paid to Fletcher by the ECB, although the lure of an international comeback may prove a powerful motivation.The emergence of several experienced candidates for the coaching post will delight NZC’s top brass, who encountered difficulty in replacing John Bracewell last year. Graham Ford, Mickey Arthur and Matthew Mott were among those to turn down approaches from New Zealand, resulting in Moles, then the coach of first-class side Northern Districts, winning the job virtually unopposed.Vaughan is hopeful of filling Moles’ former post before the end of the year, with the successful candidate to start with the national squad prior to Bangladesh’s arrival in New Zealand for a Test and ODI series in February. “I want Daniel (Vettori) to be involved in the discussions, so a good time (to begin the interview process) might be when the team get back from the UAE,” Vaughan said. “It is possible we could be looking at an announcement this calendar year.”