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Essex have bolstered their Twenty20 Cup squad by signing Mark Hardinges, the 31-year-old allrounder from Gloucestershire

Cricinfo staff16-May-2009Essex have bolstered their Twenty20 Cup squad by signing Mark Hardinges, the 31-year-old allrounder from Gloucestershire.”I am really excited and pleased to get the call from Essex. If I can help in any way in what is already a good side I will be really happy,” Hardinges said. “I have made two previous finals days of the Twenty20 Cup so I am keen to win it with Essex and this bunch of lads…[is] more than capable of going that step further. My aims for my time at Essex are to enjoy myself and to contribute to a really successful unit. I am available to play for Essex from now until the end of July.”Paul Grayson, the Essex coach, added: “The main reason we have brought Mark into the team is that we may not have four of our main players for the entirety of the Twenty20 Cup owing to ICC World Twenty20 call ups (Ravi Bopara, James Foster, Ryan ten Doeschate and Graham Napier).”We are serious about winning the Twenty20 Cup this season and we want to be sure we have the best team available. We could have been left with a light squad and Mark brings experience as a consistent one-day performer. His name became available and this was an opportunity we could not miss.”

Jim Goodwin has commented on the future of Watford transfer target Jamie McGrath…

What’s the talk?

St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin has admitted that Watford transfer target Jamie McGrath could leave the club on a pre-contract agreement next near.

The midfielder is out of contract in the summer of 2022 and Goodwin has said that the player is ‘within his rights’ to sign a deal with a new club in the winter window ahead of leaving at the end of the season.,

He told the Scottish Sun:

“There was serious interest in him – I’m delighted he’s still here. Jamie would be well within his rights if he signed a pre-contract with another club in January.

“Equally, if someone comes in with an outrageous bid for him we’d need to decide what’s best for all concerned. Ideally, we’d like to tie him down on a long-term contract but, realistically, that’s not going to happen.”

Delight

Watford fans will be delighted by these comments from Goodwin as they open the door for McGrath to arrive at Vicarage Road for free next summer. The Hornets could land the Irish talent without having to pay a transfer fee, with Goodwin suggesting that St Mirren are now resigned to the possibility of him departing on a free.

Hornets fans will also be delighted because of the quality of player this news opens them up to getting. Goodwin has given an exceptional reference for the 24-year-old’s talents, saying:

“He had been pigeonholed as a No 10 at Dundalk and people looked at him as a luxury player, but I had a very good conversation with Jamie and his representatives and explained that I saw there was more to him than that.

“My belief was that he could become a No 8 and be a box-to-box player and I think he’s shown he can do that.

“He’s not one to fly into tackles, but he gets close to opponents, he’s fit, he’s quick and his composure on the ball is incredible. His creativity and bravery when in possession is second to none.”

McGrath was directly involved in 20 goals for St Mirren in all competitions from midfield last season, with 14 goals and six assists in 41 games.

This shows that the 24-year-old has the ability to score and assist goals at a decent rate in Scotland.

Bringing him in for nothing would be a worthwhile gamble for Watford.

Fans will be buzzing if Xisco Munoz is able to sign McGrath on a free transfer, especially if the Irish wizard starts scoring and assisting goals in the Premier League.

AND in other news, Signed for £18m, now valued at £3.6m: Watford endured transfer nightmare with dud…

Everton fans have been reacting to the news that Cenk Tosun has entered into talks with Besiktas concerning a return to Turkey.

Tosun’s spell at Goodison Park has not gone too well. In 2018, the Toffees paid £27m to take him to Merseyside (Sky Sports), but he failed to justify that lofty transfer fee. In 58 outings he has managed just 11 goals (Transfermarkt), with injuries thwarting him throughout his time in England.

Now, though, there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel for all involved. As per Fotospor (via Sport Witness), Everton are in talks with Besiktas in a deal that would see Tosun return to his homeland, with the rumours emerging on the same day his agent insisted the striker is ‘happy’ on Merseyside.

The Super Lig outfit would also be a good fit for the £4.5m-valued 30-year-old – he has managed 67 goals in 146 games for the Turkish side and it is from them that Everton signed him in the first place.

The news has been doing the rounds on Twitter, and it attracted plenty of attention from the supporters. They took to the social media platform below.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Tosun news below

“I’d love to believe this but he will suck every pound he can from the club before his contract expires…”

Credit: @BE_Toffees

“Good riddance”

Credit: @Mark53779049

“Hopefully!”

Credit: @J_Griffiths14

“Why wait just cancel ye contract and go now”

Credit: @Jc_efc66

“Let’s hope so”

Credit: @S34nR

“I’ll forgive brands for everything if he manages to get money for him.”

Credit: @mhart89efc

In other news, Everton fans are livid with this injury news.

يلتقي منتخب مصر لكرة اليد، مع الجزائر، مساء اليوم الجمعة، في إطار منافسات دور ربع نهائي بطولة أمم إفريقيا المقامة في مصر.

وتحتضن مصر منافسات كأس الأمم الإفريقية خلال الفترة من 11 إلى 18 يوليو المقبل، على صالتي مجمع حسن مصطفى وأكتوبر الدولية.

وتتأهل أفضل 5 منتخبات في الترتيب بالبطولة للمشاركة في نهائيات كأس العالم 2023 في بولندا والسويد.

وصعد منتخب مصر متصدرًا ترتيب المجموعة الأولى بينما تأهلت الجزائر بعد احتلالها وصافة الثانية.

طالع أيضًا.. بالمواعيد.. المنتخبات المتأهلة ومواجهات دور الـ8 في أمم إفريقيا لكرة اليد 2022 موعد مباراة مصر والجزائر اليوم في ربع نهائي أمم إفريقيا

تقام مباراة مصر والجزائر مساء اليوم الجمعة في تمام الساعة الثامنة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والتاسعة بتوقيت مكة المكرمة والسابعة بتوقيت الجزائر. القناة الناقلة لمباراة مصر والجزائر في أمم إفريقيا لكرة اليد

تذاع مباراة مصر والجزائر اليوم الجمعة، في ربع نهائي أمم إفريقيا لكرة اليد، عبر قناة أون تايم سبورت 1.

يمكنك مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنا.

Speaking to Football Insider, talkSPORT pundit Gabriel Agbonlahor has backed brand new West Ham United starlet and summer signing Alex Kral to shine thanks to one ‘big thing’.

The Lowdown: West Ham snap up Kral…

The Hammers were linked with a move to Kral from the beginning of the summer transfer window with advanced talks even mooted months ago (Football Insider).

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Reports, however, died down midway through the window before accelerating back up again in the very last stages.

Finally ending the saga, West Ham officially snapped up the Czech Republic youngster on a season-long loan deal just before the deadline.

The Latest: Agbonlahor backs Kral…

Speaking to FI, the former Premier League striker believes Kral will ‘hit the ground running’ for West Ham due to one thing.

Indeed, the presence of compatriots Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal should help the 23-year-old to settle in fairly quickly at the London Stadium, Agbonlahor believes.

“It always helps when you are a foreign player coming in and there are players there from your own country it helps you settle in a lot quicker. That will be big for him.

“I’m sure he’ll hit the ground running as his Czech Republic teammates did. They were flying from their first few games.

“Having teammates there is definitely a big thing.”

The Verdict: Massive?

Settling into life in the Premier League comes as a challenge for any promising young starlet, but Coufal and Soucek leading by example will certainly come as a booster for Kral.

Both men enjoyed fine first seasons at the London Stadium and topped West Ham’s charts for most tackles averaged per 90 in the English top flight (WhoScored).

If Kral can replicate that kind of form, Moyes may have just pulled off a masterstroke by signing him at the very last minute.

In other news: ‘Absolutely buzzing’, ‘Here we go’…West Ham fans flock to official club announcement, find out more here.

According to Foot Mercato, West Ham are back ‘in the running’ to sign Montpellier striker Gaetan Laborde – coming after The Evening Standard reported a rejected January offer for the player.

The Lowdown: West Ham hunting strikers…

Time is fast running out for manager David Moyes to add to his attacking options for what is set to be a more congested 2021/2022 campaign.

West Ham’s involvement in the Europa League means more games and the need for new additions, with signing a new forward thought to be one of Moyes’ top priorities all window (Claret & Hugh).

New targets are entering the frame on a consistent basis, with 90min recently revealing that Netherlands striker Luuk de Jong has now emerged as an option for West Ham.

The Latest: West Ham re-join Laborde race…

As per Foot Mercato, another name is now being targeted by the Irons as they re-join the race to sign Laborde – coming after The Evening Standard revealed a failed January offer.

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The French striker formed a brilliant Ligue 1 partnership with Andy Delort last season with the duo scoring a combined 31 goals whilst also registering 17 assists between them (WhoScored).

West Ham are now again ‘in the running’ to sign him this summer alongside Rennes and it is believed that he will not be selected for Montpellier again in the event of a suitable offer.

The Verdict: Solid option?

Valued at around £13.5 million by Transfermarkt, Laborde’s impressive 16-goal French top flight haul last season is overshadowed only by his career total of 83 in all competitions.

The 27-year-old is still yet to enter the prime of his career and particularly proficient in the air, coming as a real strength and, potentially, a different option for Moyes.

He could be one to watch out for as the end of the transfer window creeps ever closer, offering the manager a potentially cheaper option and a different style of play as a traditional target man.

In other news: Bid tabled: West Ham make offer to sign ‘unbelievable’ player for Moyes, find out more here.

Raqibul Hasan, the middle-order batsman, returns to Bangladesh’s limited-overs squad for the tour of South Africa

Cricinfo staff28-Oct-2008Bangladesh ODI squadTamim Iqbal, Junaid Siddique, Mohammad Ashraful (capt), Raqibul Hasan, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehrab Hossain jnr, Imrul Kayes, Naeem Islam, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mashrafe Mortaza, Abdur Razzak, Shahadat Hossain, Syed Rasel, Nazmul Hossain, Mahbubul Alam.Raqibul Hasan, the middle-order batsman, returns to Bangladesh’s limited-overs squad for the tour of South Africa. Besides the addition of Raqibul, who fractured his thumb in a recent ODI against Australia, in the 15-man squad, Bangladesh’s selectors have dropped allrounder Mahmudullah from the 14 that played the recent three-ODI series at home against New Zealand. Fast bowler Nazmul Hossain takes his place.Bangladesh, despite the loss of recent internationals to the ICL, have performed creditably against New Zealand. They pulled off a win in the first ODI in Mirpur, and nearly upset the visitors in the first Test in Chittagong. The three newcomers tried out in the series, Naeem Islam, Imrul Kayes and Mahbubul Alam – all three earned a call-up after impressing in the Academy tour of Sri Lanka – are part of the touring party for South Africa.Raqibul will be a handy addition to Bangladesh’s batting line-up, which has often failed to deliver in the recent past. A steady accumulator of runs, Raqibul has made 412 runs at 29.42 in 14 innings since his debut in the home ODIs against South Africa.The squad, led by Mohammad Ashraful, begin the tour with the only Twenty20 international on November 5, followed by three ODIs. Bangladesh will also play two Tests in South Africa, the first of which starts on November 19 in Bloemfontein. During their last tour in 2002, Bangladesh were defeated comprehensively in the three ODIs and two Tests.Mashrafe Mortaza will be Ashraful’s deputy in the 15-man squad, which includes seven batsmen, one allrounder, a wicketkeeper, and six bowlers. Bangladesh’s pool of talent was severely depleted when 14 players joined the ICL’s latest franchise, the Dhaka Warriors. They include recent internationals Aftab Ahmed, Alok Kapali, Shahriar Nafees, Farhad Reza, Ghosh, Mosharraf Hossain and Nazimuddin.

Southampton are reportedly targeting a move for RB Leipzig forward Alexander Sorloth as a potential Danny Ings replacement, according to The Athletic. 

Ings’ somewhat surprising departure to Aston Villa was confirmed on Wednesday evening, with Dean Smith’s side looking as though they’ll be planning for life without Jack Grealish.

It has been reported by Fabrizio Romano that Grealish is set to get undergo a medical with Manchester City, ahead of a move worth £100million.

Villa signed Ings on Wednesday, in a deal worth £30million, according to a report from Hampshire Live. The forward spent two years with Southampton, and scored 13 goals in 33 appearances for the Saints last term in what was a frustrating league campaign for Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side.

Southampton are seemingly moving quickly in their efforts to find Ings’ replacement, with Alexander Sorloth being one of their reported targets ahead of the 2021/22 league campaign.

Sorloth has been with RB Leipzig since 2020, and scored six goals in 37 appearances last term for the German side.

He would be no stranger to English football either, having previously been on the books with Crystal Palace before heading to RB Leipzig in 2020 – he scored just once in 20 appearances for the Eagles.

Plenty of Southampton supporters were quick to take social media to react to the Saints’ rumoured interest in signing Sorloth this summer.

Saints fans fume

Take a look at the best of the reaction from Twitter below, after their interest was shared by Saints Extra.

“No no no no no. Tammy or Armstrong I wouldn’t mind, but not Sorlorth.”

Credit: @AidanCMcMahon

“Please no he’s awful.”

Credit: @GaryFretwell

“He scored 6 goals for his club last season, what on earth are they thinking.”

Credit: @PixelKicker

“Palace and Leipzig reject Alexander Sorloth? The man who could only do the business in the Super Lig, a league where Mario Lemina looked like a world beater? That guy?”

Credit: @ftbl_mark

“Who??”

Credit: @Southampton_82

“Eduoard, Armstrong or Tammy all great options.”

Credit: @G0DDARD97

Speaking to Sky Sports, pundit Sue Smith has raved over a ‘huge boost’ out of north London involving Tottenham Hotspur superstar Son Heung-min.

The Lowdown: Son contract confirmed…

Reports had indicated that the 28-year-old agreed to put pen to paper on a new deal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Football Insider recently reporting that terms had been finalised and a deal ‘done’.

Now, as announced today, Son has indeed extended his deal in north London – signing a four-year contract which will run until 2025.

The Latest: Smith raves over ‘huge’ Son boost…

Speaking to Sky, Smith has raved over the announcement whilst predicting Spurs supporters will certainly be ecstatic with the development.

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As well as this, she describes the news as a ‘huge boost’ for the Lilywhites.

“I think it’s a huge boost for everyone linked with Spurs,” she explained to the broadcaster.

“It’s just a huge boost like I say, he’s such a good player to watch, I really enjoy watching him every week in the Premier League.

“He’s vital to Spurs’ attack, I think when they go forward in terms of his running with the ball, his running without the ball, his assists, his goals.

“He’s a really intelligent player and Spurs fans will certainly be happy that he’s been tied down.”

The Verdict: Absolutely massive…

Given Spurs supporters have been waiting for the better part of 9 months for Son to officially extend his stay, with reports emerging as far back as October 2020, this certainly comes as massive bit of news.

The South Korea star was, by some distance, Tottenham’s second-most important player behind Kane and even managed to get into the PFA Premier League Team of the Year.

Amid the noise surrounding Kane and his future, news of Son committing his future is definitely a welcome update – if the talisman does depart, Son will become the face of the club.

In other news: ‘Massive’, ‘Exactly what Levy wanted’…Sky pundit has also raved over this Tottenham Hotspur Stadium announcement, find out more here.

Stanford Twenty20, bankrolled by Allen Stanford, the Texan billionaire, has resumed developmental funding for regional cricket boards in the West Indies

21-Jun-2008
Allen Stanford will give regional boards $15 000 per month for development purposes © Joseph Jones
Stanford Twenty20, bankrolled by Allen Stanford, the Antigua-based billionaire, has resumed developmental funding for regional cricket boards in the West Indies. Funding had stopped earlier this year, after Stanford wasn’t impressed with the accountability of the respective boards.After meeting with the chief executives of the regional boards, it was decided that the sum of $15000 would be paid per month for development purposes. Forbes Persaud, the Trinidad & Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) chief executive, said he was happy that funding had resumed and stressed the TTCB intended to make full use of what was on offer.”We at the TTCB are very happy for whatever funding we receive to assist with our running of the cricket. To run cricket is very expensive and we are very grateful for the help from Stanford,” Persaud told . “We have a number of development programmes that we think are essential to our cricketers and which have been working for us and we intend to use this contribution to assist in that way.”Stanford Twenty20 also indicated that the US$15,000 sum needed to be used up each month, as there would be no rolling over to the next month.This has brought some concerns from the boards, as some indicated that in certain months of the year their development programmes would carry them over the prescribed mark while in other months, the cost would be less.