England’s players and officials, who helped regain the Ashes in 2005, figure prominently in their country’s New Year Honours list. While Michael Vaughan, the captain, and Duncan Fletcher, the coach, have received OBEs (Officer of the Order of the British Empire), the rest of the team, including Paul Collingwood who only played in the final Test at The Oval, have been conferred MBEs (Member of the Order of the British Empire).”It was a great team effort and I’m really pleased all the players have been honoured,” Vaughan told BBC Sport. Clare Connor, the captain of England’s Ashes-winning women’s team, David Graveney, chairman of selectors, and Phil Neale, the England team’s operations manager, were also appointed as OBEs.Marcus Trescothick, who led England in the one-day series in Pakistan in the absence of the injured Vaughan, said: “It’s not something you expect to happen to you just for playing cricket.”To be appointed an MBE by your country is a great honour and I think it shows just how much winning the Ashes meant to everybody,” he told BBC Sport.Graveney, who has held his current post since 1997, said: “I thought the players quite rightly would be honoured in some way, but for me to also be honoured is amazing.” The recognition also got him reminiscing about how the thing runs in the family. “We now have three things in common,” he said, referring to Tom Graveney, his uncle and former England batsman. “We are both called Graveney, both have an OBE and were both sacked as Gloucestershire captain. When the letter arrived, I thought it was from the Inland Revenue,” he told the .There have been the invariable omissions too, notably in the case of Troy Cooley, the bowling coach, who was instrumental in imparting the reverse swinging skills to the England attack that took such a toll among the Australians. However, Medha Laud, the ECB’s administration manager, whose principal duty has been arranging itineraries has awarded an MBE.Simon Jones, the seamer who most tormented the tourists during the Ashes, told BBC Sport: “You obviously don’t do the job for honours, but it’s been an extraordinary year in everybody’s life and it just shows what an impact beating Australia has had on everyone.”For Jones, the honour seems to have more than compensated for the disappointment of missing the final Ashes Test at The Oval and the recent tour to Pakistan due to an ankle injury. “It’s been a frustrating few months for me but to become an MBE is unbelievable.”
Zimbabwe Cricket has announced that it is setting up an independent committee to look into the possibility of the players who were at the centre of last year’s strike returning to the fold.Some of the rebels – Gavin Ewing and Barney Rogers for example – have already resumed playing, but others, led by Heath Streak, remain on the outside.ZC issued a statement saying that Addington Chinake, a legal advisor, would chair the committee and he will be joined by Jackie du Preez, the former Rhodesia and South Africa allrounder, and George Makings, a labour consultant.The stumbling block to a settlement would appear to the recent election of Ozias Bvute as ZC managing director, and Max Ebrahim’s role as chairman of selectors. Both men are deeply distrusted and were at the centre of many of the rebels’ grievances.It was an unhappy coincidence that ZC announced the forming of the committee at the same time the national side was slipping to defeat in Bangladesh.
With just over three weeks to go before India’s first Test against New Zealand, question-marks continue to hang over the fitness levels of Ashish Nehra. While Nehra himself is confident that he will recover completely from the ankle injury which has forced him out of action since the World Cup, the Indian board officials are not so sure.Speaking to rediff.com, Nehra insisted: “We will have to watch how my injury heals, but I am sure to be fit for the series against New Zealand.” SK Nair, the BCCI secretary, however, stated that Nehra remained a doubt for the Test series, and might only regain full fitness before the triangular one-day tournament, which also features Australia and starts on October 23. Nair and Brijesh Patel, the chairman of the selection committee, quoted Andrew Leipus, the team physiotherapist, as saying that Nehra would not be ready for the Tests. “According to Leipus, Nehra is not fit to take part in the Test series against New Zealand,” said Patel.Nehra underwent surgery on his ankle in April, and has only recently started bowling in the nets. If Nehra is indeed ruled out, it will surely be a blow to India’s seam attack, but the Indian team management would be well advised to take a conservative approach with his fitness. More than the home series against New Zealand, it is vital that Nehra be part of the Indian line-up for the tour of Australia. Running in on the hard surfaces of Australia will surely put plenty of strain on the ankle, and it is easy to visualise a half-fit Nehra breaking down again. Easing him back with a few one-dayers and some domestic games could well be in the best interest both of Nehra and the Indian team.
He once walked into an airplane, pre-empted the steward, grabbed acarton of soft drinks and went about distributing it to all thepassengers on the aircraft. In keeping with that incident, he sports amischievous grin that rests awkwardly on a strapping, muscular frame.Iqbal Siddiqui now smiles broader than ever after being named in thesquad for the first Test against England at Mohali.The lad from Aurangabad has indeed come a long way since his firstclass debut. “I made my debut for Maharashtra in the Ranji Trophyknock-out match against Railways in 1992-93. Quite a long time ago,”he admits. But then again, neither the conditions nor the wickets inIndia make for ideal fast bowling conditions. Siddiqui, however, putin the hard work, shelving frustration and waiting for his chance. “Ijust wanted to reach where I am today and see my name in the Indianteam,” he says.To make it to the Indian team, Siddiqui has had to toil, both in termsof learning his craft and building muscle and endurance. “If I had notworked hard, none of this would have come to me, even if a bit late.When matches neared, I used to work even more, keeping myself fitduring the games,” he says.More than once in this period of waiting in the wings, Siddiqui hasbeen to England in the Indian off-season, turning out for club sidesthere. Although he recognises some of the benefits in doing so, heclearly has no illusions about the matter. “It is no use really; afterall, we don’t play for county teams, just small club sides. It justhelped me keep fit, bowling every week and training and things likethat,” Siddiqui explains. With a chuckle, the Maharashtra seamer adds,”After all, we are not such big cricketers in India that people willprepare wickets specially for us in the winter.”Although he has bagged over 230 first-class wickets in all, it is onlynow that the selectors have given him the big break. His four-wickethaul against England at Jaipur certainly helped tilt the scales in hisfavour. Siddiqui, however, is quick to state that it is not a one-offperformance that has earned him his place. “It is not one innings orthe other where I have performed well. Year after year, my aim hasbeen to surpass the previous year’s achievements. I’m just fightingwith myself,” he says somewhat philosophically.Like him or not, think him worthy of a Test spot or not, Siddiqui issure to catch your attention. He is the kind of character that theIndian team could do with. Jovial yet deadly serious about his work,casual yet intense with the ball in hand, Siddiqui might just carvehimself a place in memory at Mohali.
Manchester United failed to make it three consecutive victories in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon as they drew 0-0 with struggling Watford at Old Trafford.The Red Devils had beaten Brighton 2-0 and Leeds United 4-2 in the top-flight before their meeting with the Hornets as well as a 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.With an xG of 2.53, Ralf Rangnick’s side were incredibly wasteful against the Hertfordshire outfit, with midfielder Bruno Fernandes particularly struggling to find a clinical edge in the final third.
According to SofaScore, the 27-year-old, who wore the captain’s armband with Harry Maguire on the bench, took eight shots, two of which on target, two off and four blocked as he struggled to find the breakthrough for United.
Moreover, the Portugual international lost possession 21 times whilst also winning just three out of eight attempted duels alongside producing only two successful dribbles.
Compared to his Manchester United teammates, Fernandes received the second-joint lowest rating alongside Anthony Elanga at 6.9/10, with Cristiano Ronaldo stumbling to a 6.7.
Saturday afternoon was yet another occasion this term where the 27-year-old has failed to step up when most needed, having scored six goals in all competitions since the opening day of the Premier League season, compared to the 28 goals scored in 58 games during the 2020/21 campaign.
Prior to Roy Hodgson’s side’s visit to Old Trafford, Fernandes had started to show signs of reigniting form similar to that of last season scoring in back-to-back league games against Brighton and Leeds and should’ve gotten himself on the scoresheet.
Former Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen stated back in December, “It’s as if Fernandes was always looking for Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Nine out of 10 times, he tries to find Ronaldo and if this doesn’t work, he gets impatient and begins to try very difficult things.
“Bearing in mind the way he began at United, we want to see much more of him.”
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The draw sees the Red Devils remain fourth, however, it provides fifth-place Arsenal with a major opportunity to solidify a place in the top four.
The Gunners have three games in hand on United and are just two points behind them. However, Mikel Arteta’s side aren’t in league action this weekend so their opportunity to pounce will have to wait.
Moreover, it’s United’s fifth draw this month with Rangnick’s side winning just two out of their last seven matches across all competitions.
In other news: Elanga must become first choice for Rangnick
Martin van Jaarsveld, the South Africa and Titans batsman and Quinton Friend, the Dolphins bowler, have been found guilty of breaching Cricket South Africa’s Code of Conduct and are duly suspended.The issue arose during Dolphins’ and Titans’ match at Kingsmead two weeks ago when the “conduct and actions of both players [was] considered in breach of clause 1.3” CSA’s Code of Conduct. The clause relates to verbal abuse.Van Jaarsveld is not permitting to play in Titans’ next two SuperSport Series matches, while Friend is banned from one Dolphins game.
In the wake of the most serious drugs scandal to hit cricket, Shoaib Akhtar, the man at the centre of it, has called for greater awareness to be created among cricketers, especially in Pakistan, about doping issues. Shoaib, along with fellow fast bowler Mohammad Asif, was handed a ban by a drugs tribunal after tests conducted by the PCB found traces of the banned anabolic steroid Nandrolone in his body. The bans were subsequently overturned by an appeals committee, clearing the way for both bowlers to return to cricket.Speaking to a few reporters at the National Bank of Pakistan ground in Karachi, where he was playing his first competitive game since the ban for his club side KRL, Shoaib said, “Many players are poorly educated about supplements, medication and doping issues. I’ve requested the chairman (PCB) to educate youngsters. Teach them now about these things. In 2002, the team attended a lecture where we were told only how to give urine samples.”Lectures are fine but there is no education. We weren’t told that you can and can’t take this. There are so many vitamins, so many different remedies, syrups that can carry steroids but we don’t know about them, we never learnt about them. I’ve had so many injuries in my career and taken so many medicines for them. But players are not doctors so they don’t always know.”Shoaib and Asif’s plea through the two hearings they underwent was that neither of them had taken steroids deliberately and that they weren’t properly informed or educated by the board. One possibility their lawyers had raised was that legal supplements, allowed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) have been found in the past to be contaminated steroids. “Supplements are often contaminated and these are legal supplements,” argued Shoaib.”So WADA should be looking at the problem of contamination as well and maybe banning some of those. We haven’t had a team doctor for the last four years and no nutritionist. Thankfully, the chairman is thinking of bringing in doctors and nutritionists now so youngsters will definitely benefit. I never took any such substances knowingly.”In light of WADA’s recent statement, that they were considering challenging the decision to overturn the ban at the International Court of Arbitration, it is unlikely that this is the last we have heard on this issue. But Shoaib, understandably, was eager to look to the future. “I want to thank my family and the nation for supporting me. It’s been a tough time for me obviously but it’s over now. A lot has been said about it but it is behind me now. I want to concentrate on cricket now only and not look at the past.”
It’s been a tough time for me obviously but it’s over now. A lot has been said about it but it is behind me now. I want to concentrate on cricket now only and not look at the past
As it happens, there is a fair amount to look forward to, beginning with the tour to South Africa in January. Though he was suffering from a slight fever, he managed to ping down 12 overs in the first innings against WAPDA in the ongoing Patron’s Trophy match. Despite a duck in the second innings – he was greeted by a bouncer first ball – he came out to bowl a swift opening over in WAPDA’s second innings. “I’m fully fit. There was a little bit of stiffness obviously but the last spell I bowled was a quick one, even though the wicket is a little flat. But it’s good practice for me.”None of this is particularly good news for South Africa. After crashing to 84 all out on a pacy, bouncy track designed with their opponent’s frailties in mind, rather than their own, they are unlikely to do so against a Pakistan side with arguably as strong a pace attack as their own. “I’m not sure the wickets will be so fast there,” Shoaib said. “But they’re always sporting tracks, especially at Cape Town. Lets see what type of pitches they make especially if we have a full attack and they do as well.”We have excellent fast bowling resources. Umar Gul has bowled really well, Rana is back in form. And Sami is still an asset. I am hoping to get some more practice. But ultimately, it isn’t about me or any other one bowler, it is about the whole side performing. That is vital.”Beyond the tour awaits the World Cup in the Caribbean and Pakistan, says Shoaib, have as good a shot at glory as any. “We have the most balanced team in the world after Australia. The wickets there will be slow but the conditions are good for reverse swing and that should be an advantage for our bowlers. I am very keen to play but it won’t be about individuals. This is about the whole team doing well.”
Cricinfo.com, the world’s largest single sport website, is venturing into print with the launch of . The monthly title will hit the newsstands in the first week of January.Though the magazine will be primarily aimed at an Indian readership – both in India and overseas – it will have a strong international flavour and will feature some of the world’s finest cricket writers. It will be be published by Infomedia India, an established publisher of special-interest magazines and business directories, under a license agreement with the Wisden Group.The first issue will comprise 124-pages, with a 32-page preview supplement on the eagerly-anticipated India-Pakistan series. In the cover features, Rahul Dravid, the India captain, shares his vision for Indian cricket, while Greg Chappell, the national coach, talks about his innovative coaching methods.Other key features include an in-depth look at fast bowling down the years, an examination of Pakistan’s growth as a team, interviews with Ian Healy and Chaminda Vaas, and Virender Sehwag’s flashback to one of his classic innings.The new magazine will be edited by Sambit Bal and compiled by the same experienced editorial team that produced . While retaining the core values of its acclaimed predecessor, will contain more pages and additional features. Regular contributors will include Harsha Bhogle and Sanjay Manjrekar and the first issue also features articles by Peter Roebuck, Mukul Kesavan and Gideon Haigh.Tom Gleeson, the CEO of the Wisden Group, said the magazine was a logical extension of the Cricinfo brand. “Cricinfo.com is the world’s largest publisher of cricket news, scores and analysis on the Internet. It makes perfect sense for us, in partnership with Infomedia, to bring the brand to the magazine stand.” will share the values that have made the website so successful, but it will also enable us to showcase the finest cricket writing and photography in the best possible format.”Prakash Iyer, the CEO of Infomedia India, said: “Cricket is India’s number one passion, and given that there is no specialist magazine of real quality in India catering for cricket lovers, we are looking to fill the void with .”The world’s largest and most passionate cricket audience deserves a truly world-class magazine. We will ensure that becomes the Indian fan’s can’t-put-down-companion.”The new title will be available on annual subscription to fans of the Indian game around the world. Full details of global subscription rates will be available on Cricinfo.com from the beginning of January.
ScorecardAt 13 for 2, Baroda were in deep trouble as the second day came to a close at Vadodara. They had been bowled out for 69 – their overnight score – in the morning, and then Tamil Nadu bettered their own first innings total by putting on 183. With a target of 272 facing them, and two days to get there, Baroda’s batsmen attempted to stay at the crease for a long period. While Connor Williams survived to reach nine, two others played out 41 minutes between them and added only 3 runs before being dismissed. Tomorrow, they will require 259 more on a pitch where only one batsman out of 32 dismissed has managed to score a fifty. ScorecardAfter Mumbai reached 292 at Wankhede, Nilesh Kulkarni went to work on Karnataka’s batsmen, and prised out 5 for 39. Karnataka were dismissed for 166, losing all ten wickets for the addition 84 runs after Robin Uthappa (39) and Barrington Rowland (43) put on 82. Romesh Powar also had a hand in Karnataka’s capitulation with 4 for 70. But before the day was out, Karnataka had their own back, dismissing Wasim Jaffer in the first over. Mumbai ended on 2 for 1, with an overall lead of 128. ScorecardKirat Damani led Gujarat to 353 with his marathon innings of 142, before becoming the second of Sunil Dholpure’s five victims. After Damani’s departure, S Yadav shepherded the tail past 350. Madhya Pradesh then found the going hard, and were reduced to 62 for 3, with the top three gone. The sole performer for the team was Dholpure, who ended with figures of 5 for 70. ScorecardDelhi were on the verge of overtaking Bengal’s total of 240 at Kolkata by the end of the second day. At 184 for 3, they were only 56 runs behind, with the two batsmen, Mithun Manhas and Vijay Dahiya, well-set at the crease. Manhas was on 79 and Dahiya on 68. They came together after Delhi tottered at 51 for 3, and slowly turned the tide their way. In the morning, Amit Bhandari added three more wickets to his overnight tally of two to finish with 5 for 55. ScorecardAt Anatapur, Andhra found themselves with a big task ahead. They were 120 for 6, still 143 runs behind Railways, who had made 263. While no batsman scored a fifty for Railways, small partnerships ensured they reached a total that would cause Andhra trouble. Venugopal Rao took four wickets for 34 – including three yesterday – to end Railways’ innings. ScorecardHyderabad took what could very well be a decisive lead after bowling out Punjab for 105 on the second day at The Gymkhana Ground in Hyderabad. Hyderabad’s bowlers shared the wickets, dismissing everyone but Ankur Kakkar (48) cheaply. Punjab’s bowlers then struck back, reducing their opponents to 54 for 4. But VVS Laxman once again kept things together, and was still at the crease with 59 off only 78 balls. ScorecardAt Karad, the day was all Ranjit Khirid’s. After scoring 80, he picked up 5 for 45 to have Uttar Pradesh in deep trouble. UP could only manage 229 for 8 in reply to Maharashtra’s total of 394. Suresh Raina, who hit three half-centuries for India earlier this year in the under-19 World Cup, struck 67 off 101 balls and was involved in a 125-run stand with R Shamshad, who scored 60. But UP were on course to conceding the first-innings lead and the points that went with it.
Hampshire Under-16 opener Jack Lovett is set for his senior St Cross Symondians debut at Lymington tomorrow (1pm) as the Winchester club seeks to retrieve lost ground at the top of Southern Electric Premier League, Division 2.Lovett has been in sparkling form for St Cross 2nd XI, who are pressing hard for Hampshire League promotion.He gets his big chance as St Cross bid to claw back the three-point lead Old Tauntonians & Romsey gained at the top last weekend.Dan Peacock (broken finger) could return to bolster a Lymington side that has lost six of its last seven matches and dropped into the bottom half of the table.OT’s, meanwhile, travel to enigmatic Hursley Park, who are capable of beating the best on their day.Knocked out of the National Village Championship at Findon last weekend, Easton & Martyr Worthy must beat lowly Gosport Borough if they are to keep their championship prospects alive.But they have a substantial 19-point gap to make up on St Cross, whom they beat by five wickets last week.On-song Burridge bid to make it five wins out of six at Purbrook, who broke their duck at the ninth attempt last week but remain bottom.Sparsholt have slipped back on to the lip of the relegation zone, but a win over United Services at Burnaby Road will ease their worries.