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New South Wales’ title defences of both the Big Bash and the Champions League are over

Alex Malcolm13-Jan-2010
Scorecard
Andrew Symonds top scored with an unbeaten 38 as the Bulls roared in Sydney•Getty ImagesNew South Wales’ title defences of both the Big Bash and the Champions League are over after Queensland routed them in a rain-reduced nine-over a side clash at ANZ Stadium. The Blues’ pursuit of 111 was made impossible by a wonderful spell from Man-of-the-Match Nathan Rimmington (3 for 13) before the star import Daniel Vettori added to his three outfield catches with a wicket in two overs that cost just seven runs to break local hearts.The defending champions failed dismally in their first game, finishing at 7 for 56 in front of a record crowd of 29,743 that had to wait 90 minutes for the rain to subside. When it finally did Queensland batted first in a nine-over slog-fest that began shrouded in smoke from an ill-thought-out pyrotechnics display.Bulls captain Chris Simpson elevated himself to open and provided some fireworks of his own as he walloped 34 from 14 balls to get the innings off to a quick start. Andrew Symonds (38) and Lee Carseldine (25) struggled with their timing early on a very slow surface, but both cleared the rope in the eighth over before Dwayne Smith (2 for 18) bowled a crafty ninth to rattle Carseldine’s and Craig Philipson’s stumps as the visitors were restricted to 110.In the reply David Warner started brightly by taking nine off the first four deliveries, including a mammoth six. But Rimmington removed Phillip Hughes with the fifth ball of the first over, skying a catch to Vettori, before striking gold with Warner pulling the next ball straight to Philipson at short fine leg. Rimmington’s second over was his coup de grace, with him beating Moises Henriques twice with two outswingers before scratching his outside edge with a third.New South Wales’ night was best summed up by the run-out of Phil Jaques, who dived for his crease only to bury his bat short of safe ground in the rain-softened turf, allowing the bails to be removed with his outstretched glove still short. The Bulls then removed Ben Rohrer and Steven Smith in the next five scoreless deliveries to embarrass the hosts.Queensland joined Western Australia and Victoria with two wins each. Victoria’s net run-rate is the inferior of the three and they must beat Tasmania at the MCG on Friday, while the winner of Saturday’s crucial clash between the Bulls and Western Australia should decide who will host the preliminary final.

South Australia 4 4 0 0 0 8 +1.947 689/79.0 542/80.0 Western Australia 4 2 2 0 0 4 +1.313 667/80.0 562/80.0 Queensland 4 2 2 0 0 4 +0.745 540/65.0 484/64.0 Victoria 4 2 2 0 0 4 -1.429 542/75.4 653/76.0 Tasmania 4 1 3 0 0 2 -0.575 582/80.0 628/80.0 New South Wales 4 1 3 0 0 2 -2.234 499/69.0 650/68.4

Lots of Everton fans have been left fuming over a revelation from Farhad Moshiri on Rafael Benitez.

Speaking to talkSPORT’s Jim White, the Goodison Park club’s majority owner has now insisted that the Spaniard will not be sacked and claims that the 61-year-old needs more time.

This comes after the Toffees lost 4-1 at home to bitter rivals Liverpool, which now makes it eight matches in the Premier League without a win to their name.

Goodison Park is at real risk of becoming toxic if Everton lose at home to Arsenal in the Premier League on Monday night, and some Blues supporters have been left angry over Moshiri’s decision not to sack Benitez due to their poor form.

Others are annoyed that he did not give a statement to the fans first before going on talkSPORT, symbolising a lack of communication and understanding between each party.

Everton fans on Moshiri revelation

These Everton supporters fumed as the revelation from Moshiri was shared on Twitter:

“Absolute disgrace if he’s texting the media and not giving a statement to the most important people first, the fans.”

Credit: @ladbehindthebar

“Joke”

Credit: @concho1878

“Sack the board”

Credit: @aGloversStory

“Sorry but we haven’t won a game for two months. TWO MONTHS!”

Credit: @callumruddy

“Shambles this football club”

Credit: @j10efc

“Gonna be a miserable Christmas”

Credit: @ReeceDoran

In other news, find out what behind-the-scenes Benitez claim has been made

Ireland have been dealt a blow ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers in UAE with Boyd Rankin forced out of the event with his ongoing foot injury

Cricinfo staff04-Feb-2010Ireland have been dealt a blow ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers in UAE with Boyd Rankin forced out of the event with his ongoing foot injury. He withdrew from the current tour of Sri Lanka and has been advised a further three week’s rest although scans have shown no fracture.Rankin is Ireland’s leading pace bowler and he has yet to be replaced in the squad for the UAE tournament, which will decide the Associate nations that will play at the ICC World Twenty20 in West Indies which starts at the end of April.Nigel Jones took Rankin’s place for the trip to Sri Lanka and will likely retain his place for the Twenty20 event but Rankin’s wicket-taking ability will be sorely missed.Rankin, who plays for Warwickshire, has caught the attention of the England selectors and was included in the fast bowling programme for the 2009-10 winter. Although he has only managed three wickets in four Twenty20 internationals he has an impressive tally of 28 at 24.75 in 20 ODIs.

Wolves winger Adama Traore isn’t good enough to be a successful signing for Liverpool in January, according to former England international Danny Mills.

The Lowdown: Traore linked with exit

Bruno Lage’s side lost 1-0 at home to the Reds on Sunday, with Divock Origi’s stoppage-time winner breaking Wanderers’ hearts.

Traore played most of the game and was a menace to Liverpool’s defence, having recently been linked with a move to Anfield in January.

It has been claimed that the Spaniard could be available for as little as £18m, slashing his asking price by £32m from an initial £50m, with Jurgen Klopp potentially seeing him as a good squad option.

The Latest: Mills unsure over move

Despite this, someone who doesn’t think a move would be good for Liverpool is Mills, who told Football Insider that Traore simply doesn’t deliver consistently enough:

“Can he be unlocked? It’s going to be difficult.

“He had one great season where he’s been off the charts. We know he’s got incredible pace and for a little while, he had a bit of an end product. Then that dissipated and he had a couple of very average seasons for Wolves.

“Can Klopp get anything better out of him? I’m not sure.

“Also you’re bringing him into the first-team squad, so who do you leave out? Who do you drop? That’s the problem Liverpool would have. You wouldn’t drop any of their attacking players for him.”

[freshpress-quiz id=“375704”]

The Verdict: Squad player at best

For all Traore’s incredible speed and strength – Klopp himself has hailed the 25-year-old as ‘undefendable’ in the past – his lack of end product backs up Mills’ claim.

The winger is still searching for his first goal or assist in the Premier League this season, despite starting nine and featuring in 14 of Wolves’ 15 matches.

It could be argued that Klopp could nurture him and make him a greater force, but at 25, he has had enough time to mature as a player and show he can add more substance to his game.

Wolves are possibly better off without Traore in their starting lineup, too, using him as an impact substitute and using Francisco Trincao and Hwang Hee-chan as wide men, with the former a younger option and the latter delivering four league goals this season.

In other news, some Wolves fans slammed one player’s performance against Liverpool. Find out who it is here.

Lancashire have confirmed they will not be able to retain Faf Du Plessis for the 2010 season after losing an appeal following changes in immigration criteria

Cricinfo staff01-Mar-2010Lancashire have confirmed they will not be able to retain Faf Du Plessis, their Kolpak player, for the 2010 season after losing an appeal following changes in immigration criteria.”This is a very disappointing outcome for not only Faf but the county,” Mike Watkinson, Lancashire’s cricket director, said. “We accept the change in the immigration criteria and support the long term objectives associated with this decision. However, it’s a shame that certain players of quality who have demonstrated genuine commitment to English cricket and add something to our game will be lost to county cricket. His contributions both as a player and clubman will by be missed by all associated with Lancashire and we wish him well with his cricketing career.”Lancashire coach Peter Moores also said the development was a “real disappointment”. “Not only is Faf a very talented cricketer, but during his two years at Lancashire was lauded by everyone in English cricket for his fielding brilliance. His positive energy and enthusiastic approach to the job at hand will be sorely missed and I speak on behalf of everyone in the dressing room when I thank Faf for his unwavering commitment and his contribution to the club and its supporters.”Moores said the club had prepared themselves for this scenario and had made arrangements to make up for du Plessis’ absence.

Cricinfo’s preview of Rajasthan Royals v Chennai Super Kings in Ahmedabad

The Preview by Siddarth Ravindran27-Mar-2010Match factsSunday, March 28
Start time 1600 (1030 GMT)Shane Warne’s team has surged up the points table with three consecutive wins•Indian Premier LeagueBig pictureA week is a long time in the IPL. Last Friday, Rajasthan Royals were rooted to the bottom of the table with three defeats in a row, while Chennai Super Kings were sharing top spot with two victories. Now, it is Rajasthan, who can eye a slice of the top spot while Chennai are trying to stay above the basement.Chennai’s descent started with the loss against Kings XI Punjab, a game they were in control of for at least 75% of the match, before going into meltdown. One thing they could take solace from is that their next two losses were to the in-form teams of the competition – Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians.Rajasthan, meanwhile, began their revival with wins over two of the tournament’s stragglers – Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders – before hitting top form against Deccan Chargers on Friday. Yusuf Pathan remains crucial but each of their foreign players are beginning to pull their weight – Michael Lumb with two solid efforts at the top of the order, Adam Voges with his energetic batting and fielding, Shaun Tait with the fearsome pace he was recruited for and Shane Warne, who unleashed a classical legbreak to fool Herschelle Gibbs. They no longer look like an outfit waiting to be rescued by the all-round talent of Shane Watson, who is still busy with the Test series in New Zealand.Team talkChennai have to ponder whom to pick as their fourth overseas player (Morkel, Murali and Hayden are certainties). Thissara Perera, an attacking batting allrounder, had a debut to forget against Mumbai Indians – not getting to bat, and being smashed for 19 runs in his only over. With the Indian seamers not doing too well, the out-of-favour Makhaya Ntini could get a game, though that might make the Chennai tail too long for Dhoni’s liking.After their most convincing win of the campaign, Rajasthan will be tempted to keep the same XI. Siddharth Trivedi had a poor match on Friday, but did well enough before that game to retain his place. Naman Ojha’s spot could come under scrutiny after six innings in which he has yet to top 27.Form guide (most recent first)Rajasthan: WWWLL
Chennai: LLLWWPreviously…Rajasthan 3 Chennai 2Rajasthan won all matches between the two teams in the first season, including the final, but Chennai beat them easily in both games in South Africa – first by 38 runs and then by seven wickets.In the spotlightShaun Tait’s form has reflected that of Rajasthan’s: an erratic beginning followed by consistent improvements. He has hit the express pace that makes batsman jittery, and if he continues to serve up deliveries like the yorker that cleaned up T Suman on Friday, Chennai’s batsmen will be wise to order some toe-protectors.Yusuf v Murali: Both are in fantastic form; Yusuf loves taking on the spinners, Murali has been miserly and scooping up plenty of wickets. Who wins this battle could prove significant in the final outcome.Prime numbers Yusuf Pathan and Robin Uthappa are the only batsman in the tournament (min 50 runs) to have hit more sixes than fours Suresh Raina has taken the most catches in the competition – six.The chatter”As a group we’ve trained hard planned well and are starting to see the rewards,we have belief and confidence.. Biggest game for us so far is tomorrow.”

West Ham boss David Moyes has remained coy over Aaron Cresswell’s potential involvement in tonight’s clash with Arsenal…

What’s the word?

The 31-year-old left-back has been absent since the defeat to Manchester City, where he picked up a nasty back injury after colliding with the post in making a last-ditch block to deny a goalscoring opportunity.

And speaking ahead of the Irons’ trip to the Emirates Stadium, Moyes was “still not able to be clear on Cresswell,” according to Evening Standard reporter Jack Rosser, who also relayed comments from his pre-game press conference.

“Cressy has got a chance and we’re still trying to push him for the game,” he claimed.

Still doubtful?

This latest update ahead of kick-off is surely going to leave much of the Hammers faithful concerned as they could do with their first-choice defender back amongst the starting XI, particularly for this encounter.

West Ham’s place inside the Premier League’s top four is at risk right now as the Gunners could leapfrog them in the table with three points, so having Cresswell involved would certainly be a boost.

However, Moyes’ remarks and Rosser’s reaction hardly provides much encouragement over whether or not he will feature in north London this evening.

Cresswell is one of West Ham’s most influential players, having ended last season as their most creative option in the final third with eight assists. He also led the squad for key chances created, averaging 1.6 key passes per game, via WhoScored.

His importance to this squad was recently emphasised by talkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino, who said last month: “Talk about unsung heroes; I think Cresswell has been brilliant for them at left-back this year. I thought as he gets older, his place would be in jeopardy – it’s not.”

Without him, Moyes is left with Arthur Masuaku as his only option, with academy gem Ben Johnson also out through injury, but the 28-year-old isn’t as reliable as the Englishman, having failed to start more than 12 league games in any season since 2019/20.

With doubts still lingering over the availability of Cresswell, many around east London should remain concerned heading into tonight’s crucial fixture.

AND in other news, Moyes must axe £22.5m-rated West Ham passenger vs Arsenal, he’s now holding them back…

Flocking to Twitter, many Liverpool fans slammed the performance of defender Neco Williams during their dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Leicester City in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

Jurgen Klopp’s side continue their fight on all fronts despite fielding a very weakened team on Wednesday evening and finding themselves down and out at one point.

An early brace from Foxes striker Jamie Vardy gave the home side a mountain to climb before Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain pulled a goal back, but it wasn’t long before James Maddison restored Leicester’s two-goal first half cushion.

Fighting back from 3-1 down, Diogo Jota’s strike mid-way through the second half gave Liverpool hope before a dramatic 95th minute equaliser from Takumi Minamino made it 3-3.

Following no further drama in extra time, the match went to penalties as Klopp’s men eventually secured a very memorable shoot-out win on Merseyside.

Liverpool fans slam Williams…

During the contest, however, Reds supporters saw fit to criticise Williams for his display – and it’s not hard to see why going by his numbers.

The 20-year-old, losing possession a seismic 23 times, also won just 25% of his aerial duels and lost nine out of his 13 duels on the grass – all while finding just one out of his eight crosses from out wide (SofaScore).

Following a difficult evening, Liverpool supporters criticised the player’s display – find all of their verdicts from Twitter down below:

“It has been obvious since he debuted. Neco williams will never be good enough for Liverpool. a player who excels at nothing. needs to be sold immediately”

Credit: @AntonLFC9

“Neco Williams is actually bare slow”

Credit: @JoshC_LFC

“Neco Williams just isn’t good enough for Liverpool.”

Credit: @SrinzzzLFC

““Neco Williams is terrible at football.

Vardy’s 2nd goal came because he doesn’t know to to control a football.”

Credit: @LFCSlimbo

“Never understood any hype around Williams just because he had a decent game against Belarus. Every time he’s played for us he’s been poor.”

Credit: @Brad_LFC

“Honestly get williams off the wing he’s offered nothing going forward”

Credit: @myywrld999

“Neco Williams is just a short Wijnaldum on the wings!”

Credit: @sivaprakash78

In other news: ‘Ahhhh’, ‘Oh my days’, ‘On my knees’ – Many Liverpool fans erupt as FSG eye ‘perfect signing’, find out more here.

Stephen Peters smashed an unbeaten career-best 183 to single-handedly lead Northamptonshire to a dramatic final day County Championship Division Two win against all odds against Middlesex

24-Apr-2010
ScorecardStephen Peters led a mammoth run chase for Northamptonshire•Getty ImagesStephen Peters smashed an unbeaten career-best 183 to single-handedly lead Northamptonshire to a dramatic final day County Championship Division Two win against all odds against Middlesex.The 31-year-old rolled back the years, beating his previous best 178, by five runs off 252 balls as the hosts chased down 393 to claim their second successive Championship victory by six wickets. Alex Wakely chipped in with 87 while 30 and 40 from David Sales and Rob White respectively also proved vital as Northamptonshire recorded the highest fourth innings score ever against Middlesex.However it could have all been different had Scott Newman – who hit 112 during Middlesex’s second innings – and Sam Robson not dropped Peters off the bowling of Shaun Udal before lunch. Udal ended up without a wicket while Steven Finn led a tired Middlesex charge with 2 for 81 but is unlikely to have impressed any on looking England selectors.Middlesex started the final day on the front foot with seamer Tim Murtagh forcing Mal Loye to edge to England captain Andrew Strauss early on for 19 to leave Northamptonshire 43 for 1. However that was to be it for the visitors until well into the second session at Wantage Road as Peters and Wakely set about chasing down the target.The pair batted with attacking intent, reaching their century stand off 140 balls – but they were lucky to go into lunch at 143 for 1 still at the crease. Former England spinner Udal did his best to break up the partnership but was not helped by his fielders with Newman putting down Peters at leg slip and Robson likewise at short leg.Peters and Wakely picked up where they left off after lunch with the latter bringing up his 50 from 98 deliveries and the former passing three figures off 140 balls. However they were finally separated in the 56th over with Northamptonshire on 222 when England hopeful Finn removed Wakely’s off stump 13 shy of his century.Incoming batsmen Sales was initially unsettled by Finn but soon settled into the crease as the hosts went in at tea 258 for 2 – needing a reachable 135 still to win. Sales did not last long after tea when he was trapped leg before wicket by Dawid Malan in the 67th over but that just brought White to the crease.He kept up the momentum with a 44-ball 40 before falling to Finn – however Middlesex could not remove Peters, who alongside Andrew Hall (15 not out) sent the visitors to their third straight defeat.

A number of West Ham supporters have criticised Pablo Fornals’ performance in the clash against Southampton on Boxing Day.

The Hammers were back in Premier League action as they sought a return to winning ways after their Carabao Cup defeat to Tottenham in midweek.

With teams around them finding form in the top-four battle, it is vital that David Moyes’ men continue to find consistency to avoid falling away in the chase for a Champions League finish.

However, Fornal struggled badly this afternoon against the Saints, so much so that he was substituted at half-time by Moyes with the Irons trailing 0-1.

As per SofaScore, the Spaniard completed only 14 of his 24 passes and won just one duel, while he failed to record any shots or make any defensive contributions other than being dribbled past twice. Giving away possession 12 times summed up a hapless performance from the 25-year-old.

West Ham fans critical of Fornals

These West Ham fans took to Twitter to criticise Fornals’ performance against Southampton today.

“Get Fornals OFF THE PITCH”

Credit: @dylzwheelzz

“Benrahma and Fornals have just completely fallen off a cliff. Both unable to do anything. Can’t pass, can’t create, can’t score, too slow, too predictable. It’s unbearable to watch. Sigh, we HAVE to get January right”

Credit: @JakeRileyHunte

“Actually convinced Fornals is a random Spanish bloke and isn’t actually a footballer”

Credit: @HarveyWhu

“Fornals isn’t good enough, let’s be honest…”

Credit: @joeblowers19

“What’s happened to Fornals? All of a sudden he can’t make a single pass and players going by him for fun?”

Credit: @lee_sifford

“Fornals and Coufal have been shocking”

Credit: @VintageLanzini

In other news, West Ham have reportedly turned down approaches for one player. Find out who it is here.