South Africa 480 for 7 dec (Prince 139*, Boje 82) beat Zimbabwe 265 and 149 (Zondeki 6-39) by an innings and 62 runs Scorecard 3rd dayBulletin – Zondeki takes six to rout Zimbabwe Verdict – Development is the only solution News – Zondeki named in Caribbean squad News – South Africa trim central contracts Big Picture – Boje misses his hundred 2nd dayBulletin – Prince century checks Zimbabwe’s progress Big Picture – Herschelle Gibbs on the drive 1st dayBulletin – South African apathy keeps Test alive Verdict – Putting them out of their misery News – Injury problems for SA Preview packagePreview – Taibu hopes for better showing
Not long after Steve Waugh announced his plans to retire at the end of Australia’s Test series against India, the first of many tributes came flooding in, with Sachin Tendulkar leading the way.”I think he set great examples in the way cricket should be played,” Tendulkar said. “He was completely at a different level as far as mental toughness is concerned. He’s someone I’ve really admired, he’s shown over the years that he’s very gutsy and when the time demands it, he’s there to deliver.”John Howard, the Australian Prime Minister, also joined in, pointing out how the opposition always had total respect for him. “He’s been a wonderful captain, a wonderful batsman, a gritty, determined competitor.”Ricky Ponting, who took over from Waugh as the one-day international captain, and is now expected to lead the Test side too, said he wanted to enjoy the Indian Test series, which he sees as a celebration of Waugh’s success. He said: “What is important to me is that we all enjoy being a part of his farewell series, it’s sure to be something special.”Adam Gilchrist also paid his respects, citing the pride and passion Waugh instilled in the team: “I’m not saying players before him didn’t play with pride and value it, but he’s the main driver behind that passion and the aura of the baggy green.”John Buchanan, Australia’s coach, insisted Waugh would go down in history as one of the greats, both on and off the pitch. “He’s left a significant imprint not only on Australian cricket, I guess world cricket and even Australian society,” Buchanan decreed. “He is going to be, I think, revered as one of the great leaders of Australian cricket and Australian sport.”
South Africa’s greatest fast bowler, Allan Donald, has announced his retirement from Test cricket. Donald, who turns 36 this year, will continue to play one-day international cricket.Donald’s decision to quit the Test scene comes after he broke down with a hamstring strain during the first day of the first Test match against Australia at the Wanderers on Friday.”I have reached a stage where I am tired of letting myself, my team and my country down with my injuries,” Donald said in Bloemfontein on Monday.His retirement is not unexpected. At the beginning of last year he indicated that he wished to step down from Test cricket, but the prospect of playing against Australia one last time persuaded him to make himself available for South Africa’s tour of Australia and for the first Test of the current series.Donald has been plagued by a variety of injuries over the past two years, and has struggled to finish an entire series in one piece despite his natural suppleness and athleticism. When he went down in a heap at the Wanderers on Friday there was a sense that he was being seen on a Test match field for the last time.Donald started his career while South Africa was still isolated from international cricket as a fiery, but somewhat wayward fast bowler for Free State. He made his first-class debut against Transvaal in November 1985, taking his first wicket in his second over when he had Jimmy Cook caught at the wicket.He made his county debut for Warwickshire in 1987, but before that he had represented South Africa in an unofficial Test match against Kim Hughes’ rebel Australian team.In 1992 he tasted official Test cricket for the first time against the West Indies in Bridgetown, after South Africa was readmitted to international cricket and, when fit, has been an automatic choice ever since.Donald took his 300th Test wicket in his home town of Bloemfontein against New Zealand at the end of 2000, and he retires with 72 Test caps and 330 wickets at 22.25.”I would like to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my Test career. It has been a privilege to represent South Africa in Test cricket,” he said.Donald will not be lost to international cricket, however. He hopes to play in next year’s World Cup in South Africa.”Allan has been a great servant of the game and we hope he will continue toshine in one-day international cricket,” said United Cricket Board chief executive Gerald Majola. “We accept Allan’s decision and his current contract, which expires in April, remains intact.”
Kerala did well in successfully defending a modest total of 137 in their KS Subbiah Pillai Trophy game against Andhra at the SPIC-YMCA ground in Chennai on Wednesday. They bowled out Andhra for 114 runs to win by 23 runs, in the process registering their second straight victory in the South Zone Ranji Trophy one day competition. They had defeated Goa by three runs on Tuesday.Put in to bat, Kerala found runs hard to come by in the face of some accurate bowling. They were off to a decent start with openers MP Sorab (30) and C Sanju (17) putting on 41 runs 14.2 overs. Skipper Sunil Oasis (23) and NA Kudua (26) added 43 runs for the fourth wicket off 13 overs to give Kerala hopes of ending up with a challenging total. But then ensued a sharp collapse with seven wickets going down for only 18 runs in the space of 6.5 overs and Kerala were dismissed in 47.3 overs. Three run outs compounded Kerala’s problems.Andhra were on the backfoot from the first ball of the innings when Tinu Yohannan bowled wicketkeeper LNP Reddy. Thereafter they lost wickets at regular intervals with only a fighting 50 by YV Rao being the saving grace. Rao faced 121 balls and hit two fours. Coming in after two wickets had fallen for 16 in the sixth over, Rao was ninth out at 114 in the 46th over. Andhra were all out at the same score the following over to suffer their second straight defeat. They had gone down to Hyderabad yesterday.
Ange Postecoglou has dropped an update on the future of Celtic winger Karamoko Dembele.
What’s the latest?
In recent comments cited by Football Scotland, the 56-year-old Bhoys boss revealed that, despite the 19-year-old’s current deal at Celtic being set to expire this summer, he is yet to have a discussion with the England U18 international regarding the extension of his contract at the club.
Speaking about the situation of the forward, Postecoglou said: “With the contract side of things, it’s kind of a two-way thing. That’ll depend on Karamoko himself and where he sees his future.
“We’ll sit down at the appropriate time with him and try to map out what’s best for him and what he thinks is best for him, then we’ll come to a decision.”
However, in a recent report for The Athletic, Kieran Devlin suggested that, at present, it looks unlikely that Dembele will put pen to paper on a new deal in Glasgow, something that would see the teenager depart at the end of the season.
In his piece, Devlin wrote: “At the moment it is looking unlikely that Karamoko Dembele will sign a contract extension.”
Supporters will be devastated
Considering just how highly-rated Dembele is both at Celtic and by the wider footballing world, should the winger go on to leave the Hoops on a free transfer at the end of the current campaign, the Parkhead faithful will undoubtedly be devastated.
Indeed, the £225k-rated prodigy was named on the shortlist for the 2020 European Golden Boy award, while Postecoglou himself has previously stated just how high his hopes for the 19-year-old are.
Speaking earlier this season, the Greek-Australian manager said of the £2k-per-week forward: “He is obviously a hugely talented boy. He has been here for a while and I guess he gets an opportunity now. I think the way we play will suit him.”
However, after fracturing his ankle in pre-season, Dembele has so far featured just twice for Celtic this term, playing a mere 20 minutes of first-team football under the management of the 56-year-old Hoops boss.
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And, with the likes of Liel Abada and James Forrest ahead of the youngster in the Bhoys’ right-wing pecking order at present, it would appear the 19-year-old’s path to a regular spot in Celtic’s matchday squads is somewhat blocked – something that will be unlikely to convince the player who Brendan Rodgers dubbed a “special talent” that he does have a future at Parkhead.
As such, unless Postecoglou can convince Dembele that he will be guaranteed a decent amount of game time at Celtic, the winger could very easily leave the club at the end of his current deal – something that would mark a very sad day for everyone involved with the Hoops.
AND in other news: Kieran Devlin drops early Celtic team news ahead of County, supporters will be buzzing
Adam Gilchrist and Cricket Australia’s chief executive James Sutherland have dismissed reports that there is a rift between the players and the board over the Indian Premier League (IPL). The printed a letter in which Sutherland expressed his disappointment that 11 Australian-contracted players had not consulted Cricket Australia before signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that would let them play in the IPL.However, Gilchrist said there was no substance to suggestions that the players could choose to play in the IPL ahead of Tests or ODIs for their country. “No one will play [in the IPL] without consent,” Gilchrist told . “We’re not trying to be rebels here. It’s a new opportunity for cricketers and it’s a very exciting one that I know Cricket Australia are endorsing and encouraging.”We’re not looking for a moment to bend the rules or our contracts with Cricket Australia. They are our employer, as simple as that. We’ll abide by their rules at all times and we’re not trying to bend those rules what so all. If the opportunity comes up to play IPL, which a lot of us have signed a MOU to allow us to do, (we will play) but that will always be secondary to international cricket and playing for our country.”Sutherland said although Cricket Australia supported the officially-sanctioned IPL, he would have preferred the players to consult Cricket Australia before signing the MOU. “There was an element of disappointment there that players and/or their managers didn’t think to advise us of that,” Sutherland said.However, he echoed Gilchrist’s sentiment that no player was likely to turn down the chance to play for his country. “I haven’t seen any intent on the part of the Australian players that is going to compromise international cricket and their commitments to Cricket Australia,” he said. “No-one has signed a binding contract, and they can’t until they have clearance from Cricket Australia.”Because of Australia’s hectic Test schedule next year and beyond, the chances for Australian players to take part in the IPL could be limited. Next year the tournament is likely to clash with Australia’s Test tour to Pakistan and Sutherland said that would mean only a few fringe players might be free to join IPL teams.”The workload and the timing of when the Indian Premier League is, in spite of perhaps players looking to sign contracts, it might be over the course of the next three years that Australian players are only able to play one of the next three years. In terms of that conflict, or players choosing to play in the Indian Premier League instead of their international commitments, it’s just not going to happen.”Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting, Brett Lee, Matthew Hayden, Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey are among the stars believed to have signed MOUs. Sutherland said Cricket Australia had no problem with the players signing binding agreements provided the terms were satisfactory.
South Africa A 161 for 2 (A Peteren 87*, van Wyk 60) beat Zimbabwe A 160 (Mazakadza 46, Thomas 3-26) by eight wickets ScorecardIt might only have been a A-team match, but the manner of today’s eight-wicket win by South Africa over Zimbabwe at Bulawayo would have further deepened the gloom inside the already worried Zimbabwe camp weeks before the World Cup.South Africa’s batting stars of the first match – Alviro Petersen and Morne van Wyk – again shone, both notching up easy half centuries as Zimbabwe A failed to impress with bat or ball. The pair put on 139 for the second wicket as South Africa chased down a target of 161 with 12 overs to spare.Both sides made two changes. Zimbabwe brought in allrounder Keith Dabengwa and opener Vusi Sibanda in for Chamu Chibhabha and fast bowler Anthony Ireland, South Africa offspinner Thandi Tshabalala and Vernon Philander for Charl Langerveldt and Johan Van der Wath.After winning the toss, Zimbabwe’s batting again looked frail from the second over when Stuart Matsikenyeri was trapped leg-before by Albie Morkel for 4. Sibanda followed when he was clean bowled by van der Wath for 2 and the slide continued when left hander Friday Kasteni, who looked destined for a big score, had his leg stump uprooted by Morkel.Sean Williams and Hamilton Masakadza put on 63 for the fourth wicket, but the stand ended when Williams miscued a pull shot off Langerveldt to the towering Justin Kemp at midwicket who clung on to a difficult catch. Masakadza and Brendan Taylor briefly looked damgerous before Alfonso Thomas nailed Taylor leg-before for 13 and then dismissed Masakadza in a similar way.Elton Chigumbura, who scored an aggressive unbeaten 61 in the first match, could not reproduce that same form and only managed 15 before he became Thomas’ third victim, caught at long-on by van der Wath as he tried to clear the boundary. Roger Telemachus had earlier on dropped him in the same place off the same bowler.Needing just 3.22 an over, South Africa did not get off to a great start when Bosman fell to Trevor Garwe, brilliantly snared at midwicket by Utseya after he had been dropped off the same bowler by Keith Dabengwa when yet to open his account. From there, South Africa A took firm control of proceedings with van Wyk and Alviro Petersen scoring freely.A huge mix up saw van Wyk run-out attempting a single – his partner sent him back but Sibanda threw in the ball from point in the ball for Taylor to complete the dismissal.But the result was by then a certainty, and Zimbabwe will do well to avoid a whitewash in the final match tomorrow.
A thrilling hundred from Brad Hodge and some disciplined bowling earned Victoria a crushing 93-run win over New South Wales as they became the first Twenty20 champions. Cameron White’s decision to bat was promptly rewarded as Victoria, who were powered by Hodge’s 106 from just 54 balls with seven sixes, raced on to an imposing 7 for 233 in their 20 overs before dismissing NSW for 140.Hodge, whose only Twenty20 innings this season was a 15-ball 26 against South Australia on January 8, needed only 54 deliveries to post his maiden Twenty20 hundred, and it proved far too much for NSW. Hodge hoped the innings would increase his chances of returning to the Australian one-day team.”It is a very hard side to get into, whether it be the Test or one-day side,” he said. “I have just got to try and score runs and if they [selectors] are up there seeing me striking the ball cleanly, it can’t do any harm.”Hodge added 60 for the second wicket with Michael Klinger and 91 for the third with David Hussey as he battered the NSW attack. While Hodge punished the opposition with 18 boundaries, White was brutal in his final-overs assault, clubbing six sixes in his 46 from 16 balls. Aaron Bird, with 3 for 39 from his four overs, was the most successful NSW bowler, while Moises Henriques had figures of 2 for 38.NSW were given a positive start from Craig Simmons and Jarrad Burke, who added 64 before Simmons was bowled by Shane Harwood for 39. NSW then lost the plot as the remaining nine wickets collapsed for 76. Victoria’s bowlers were impressive in their ability to apply the pressure, with Peter Siddle (2 for 43) and Harwood (2 for 18) serving decisive blows before White ran through the tail with 3 for 8.The tournament was such a success that James Sutherland, the Cricket Australia chief executive, said it would be expanded next season, although he confirmed the current reluctance to introduce more matches involving Australia. “We don’t want to expose it at the international level and our plan is to play one international match a season and expand this [domestic] competition,” he said. “Each state has only hosted one home match apart from the final and we will look at doubling that next year.”
Shane Warne believes Australia’s one-day match against New Zealand at Hamilton in March should be moved after he played on the “terrible” pitch there for the FICA World XI yesterday. Warne, who captained the guest side as they were dismissed for 81, said New Zealand’s pitches in general were not up to the required limited-overs standard.”You couldn’t play a one-day international out there,” he said after his side’s four-wicket loss to New Zealand. “I think the authorities are probably going to have to look and see if the [Australia] game can be moved already.” Warne also criticised the surface at Christchurch, and said the series against Australia would be “hard work” for New Zealand on pitches providing too much assistance for the bowlers.Martin Snedden, the New Zealand Cricket chief executive, admitted that the Hamilton pitch was “not ideal”, but did not confirm if the venue’s international status was in jeopardy. “I don’t think the players were in danger,” Snedden said. “Until you talk to the people involved in the game … you can have thoughts, but I’d like to test them a bit on their thinking.”
A club match in Christchurch, New Zealand, turned ugly last Saturday when one player allegedly head-butted another before being punched himself.According to the Australian Associated Press (AAP), the incident occurred in the match between the Old Boys and Sydenham cricket clubs. An Old Boys batsman was dismissed, and was sledged by a member of the opposition as he walked off. The batsman reportedly then took matters into his own hands and head-butted the fielder. During the scuffle another Old Boys player ran onto the field and hit the Sydenham fieldsman from behind.Old Boys officials were unavailable for comment, but Sydenham’s vice-president Glenn Hooper thought the incident was appalling. He said, "This sort of thing has no place in what’s supposedly called the gentleman’s game." He added: "We are in the process of setting up a disciplinary hearing for the people involved from our side, and I would expect the Old Boys club to be doing the same."The Canterbury Cricket Association will conduct their own investigation into the incident, and may well ban the players involved. In England, the Surrey Championship recently imposed a three-year ban on the Hampshire offspinner Shaun Udal after he was found guilty of "physical violence on and threats to an opposition player" during a club game.