Category Uncategorized

Match facts

Chennai v Punjab in Chennai
Sunday, March 21
Start time 2000 (1430 GMT)

Big picture

Kings XI Punjab will be wary of Matthew Hayden and his Mongoose which wreaked havoc against Delhi•Indian Premier League

Kings XI Punjab’s horror start to the IPL, continued on Friday when they were defeated by a team they had never lost to before. Kumar Sangakkara would love to set the balance right on Sunday by winning against a team they have never beaten.Punjab may have lost all three matches so far, but none of them have been knock-outs. They will also take heart from the performance of fellow strugglers Rajasthan Royals, who shrugged off their long injury-list to get the better of Kolkata Knight Riders in Ahmedabad on Saturday.Punjab’s opponents, Chennai Super Kings, are again going to miss their star player and regular captain, MS Dhoni, but are high on confidence after two impressive wins in a row. Their home fans will also be eager to see the Mongoose bat which Matthew Hayden used to such brutal effect in the victory over the fancied Delhi Daredevils. That win featured the first significant batting performances from Hayden and stand-in captain Suresh Raina, their two most important batsmen along with Dhoni.However, Chennai’s bowling, with the exception of the accurate Muttiah Muralitharan, remains a source of worry – they have conceded 185 or more twice in three matches.

Team talk

Chennai’s batting wears a settled look, and they are likely to go with the same top seven they played against Delhi. The only major selection headache for the Chennai think-tank is which of the Indian seamers should partner L Balaji – Sudeep Taygi, Manpreet Gony and Joginder Sharma have all got a game each without inspiring confidence.Punjab will have to decide whether they want to pick four overseas batsmen again, or whether to choose one of the South African fast bowling pair of Yusuf Abdulla and Rusty Theron, especially after Sreesanth’s two horror matches, where his seven overs have leaked 93 runs. If they stick with the four foreign batsmen policy, medium-pacer Love Ablish, who had a solid domestic season, is a potential starter.

Previously…

Chennai 5 Punjab 0
Chennai have won all five previous encounters between the two sides, including the semi-final of the first season in Mumbai. Most of Chennai’s batsmen have had at least one good game against Punjab: in the first game the two teams played in the IPL, Michael Hussey’s century overpowered Punjab, in the next it was 60s from Subramanian Badrinath and Dhoni, and Raina’s brisk half-century finished off the semi-finals early. Hayden bludgeoned 89 in the first encounter in 2009, and Parthiv Patel top-scored with 32 in a low-scoring skirmish the last time the teams met.

In the spotlight

Yuvraj Singh’s return from injury hasn’t quite gone to plan, failing to get into double-digits in each of his three innings so far. A return to form is vital for Punjab’s most imposing batsman.Chennai’s fielding was one of the factors in their win over Delhi Daredevils – Justin Kemp’s one-handed effort ended Virender Sehwag’s onslaught, and Raina held a couple of smart ones to send back two other dangerous batsmen – Tillakaratne Dilshan and AB de Villiers.

Prime numbers

• Yuvraj may not have contributed with the bat, but he is Punjab’s most economical bowler this season, giving away only 5.55 runs each over
• Suresh Raina is third on the list of most sixes hit in the IPL, behind only Adam Gilchrist and Yusuf Pathan

Chatter

“I am surely happy on winning two games. But there are another eleven matches to go. We have experienced that one can go in superb form and suddenly lose the momentum.”

“We executed our plans on the field well but it was the first six overs that cost us the match… Hopefully we can turn around the results in the next games. The guys are working very hard.”

According to reports by The Sunday Mirror (via HITC), Barcelona have offered Philippe Coutinho to both Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur – but the Brazilian is not interested in a move to St James’ Park.

The Lowdown: Barcelona trying to offload Coutinho

Since leaving Liverpool for the Spanish giants in 2018 in a deal worth a staggering £142m, the attacking midfielder has not hit the heights he reached whilst playing under Jürgen Klopp at Anfield.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/spurs-latest-updates-5/” title=”Spurs latest updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The 29-year-old has made 12 appearances this season in LaLiga, scoring twice and failing to supply an assist. However, each of those games has involved a substitution, as the Brazilian is yet to play a full 90-minute league match this season.

The Latest: Spurs gifted chance to sign Coutinho

According to reports by The Sunday Mirror (via HITC), Barcelona are keen to offload Coutinho on a permanent deal, and they have offered the player to both Newcastle and Tottenham in a bid to push him away from the club. However, it is believed that the midfielder is reluctant to make the move to Tyneside.

Barcelona are desperately trying to sell some players to fund a move for Manchester City attacker Ferran Torres. Coutinho’s massive wages are proving to be a barrier in this pursuit, though, as AS have reported that the Brazilian earns around €20m (£17.07m) per season, which equates to roughly £325,000 per week.

The Verdict: Wages likely too high

With Coutinho reluctant to join Newcastle, Barcelona will continue to push Spurs into a move for the player.

The 29-year-old could prove to be a fantastic addition to Antonio Conte’s side due to his vast experience in the Premier League, where he played 152 games for Liverpool and once made the PFA Team of the Season. Former Reds teammate and international colleague Roberto Firmino has previously described the Brazilian as ‘phenomenal’, claiming that he has ‘magical powers’.

Despite such praise, it seems unlikely that Spurs will pursue a move for the player, as his enormous wages could prove to be too much for the north London club, whose top earner is Harry Kane on £200,000 per week.

In other news: Paratici backed by Levy as he tries to seal Spurs agreement for ‘sensational’ £100k-per-week ace

LeedsLive reporter Beren Cross has delivered a hugely exciting update on the future of Raphinha at Leeds United…

What’s the word?

During a recent online Q&A with supporters, the ever-reliable journalist was asked about the Brazilian’s situation amid reported interest from some of Europe’s elite, including Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich and top-flight rivals Liverpool.

“Contract talks between Leeds and Deco, Raphinha’s agent, are ongoing. There is confidence a deal can be struck and the Brazilian will move onto terms which accurately reflect his status at the club and in the league,” he replied.

“Raphinha is not making life difficult for anyone in any way around this deal. Naturally, I cannot predict the future or what Raphinha’s camp may choose to do, but the noises are positive and it would suit all parties to sign a new deal and secure his value.

“Evidently, there is going to be plenty of interest in him this summer, whether he signs a new contract or not. It will be two full seasons under his belt and clubs will feel they can tempt him away after proving himself at this level in a new country.

“Leeds will of course only sell at the price they are happy with. Whether that’s in the summer, next January or summer 2023 remains to be seen.

“Do not overlook what the World Cup may do to his value if he’s still a Leeds player by then.”

Huge boost

This is hugely exciting news for both the Elland Road faithful and manager Marcelo Bielsa, even more so if they can keep hold of him past the 2022 World Cup, which will be held in Qatar next winter.

There is no denying that the 25-year-old is set for a huge future at a big club sooner or later. He has been in electric form this season and has often carried Leeds’ blushes.

Indeed, he is their top goalscorer this season with eight goals and he also leads the way for creativity, managing one assist and an average of 1.8 key passes per game, via WhoScored.

The Yorkshire giants may be eight points clear of the relegation zone, a little over halfway into the season, but they are by no means safe from a dogfight, especially as the two teams directly below them have either one or two games in hand.

Keeping hold of Bielsa’s star man will surely delight everyone concerned with the club and it is even more encouraging to learn that the Whites’ hierarchy are close to tying him down to a new contract.

That will either make it harder for the five-time Brazil international to move on, unless there is a release clause, or it will bolster United’s power in any future negotiations and thus help their chances of making a substantial return on their £17m investment in 2020.

Already valued at £36m by Transfermarkt, Raphinha is an integral part of Leeds’ plans in 2022 and it seems that, following Cross’ claim, the club are much closer to sealing his signature once again.

AND in other news, Leeds United eyeing Pierre-Michel Lasogga 2.0…

Celtic have been encouraged to secure the permanent signing of Jota in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

In a recent interview with GIVEMESPORT, Pete O’Rourke stated his belief that all Celtic fans would love for Ange Postecoglou to secure the permanent signing of the 22-year-old Benfica loanee in the upcoming winter window.

Previous reports had revealed that the Bhoys do possess an option to buy the Portugal U21 international, with the figure required in order to seal the forward’s permanent switch to Parkhead believed to be around £6.5m.

Speaking about the club’s potential signing of Jota, O’Rourke said: “Yeah, this is a deal all Celtic fans want to get done as soon as possible. They love Jota up there.”

Celtic fans would love it

Considering just how impressive Jota has been since his arrival in Glasgow this summer, it is easy to see why O’Rourke believes that Celtic’s permanent signing of the 22-year-old would be a deal the Parkhead faithful would love.

Indeed, over his 11 Premiership appearances so far this season, the £3.15m-rated winger has bagged five goals, registered four assists and created two big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of three shots and making 1.5 key passes per game.

These returns have seen player who Postecoglou himself dubbed an “unbelievable” talent average a rather remarkable SofaScore match rating of 7.38, ranking him as the sixth-best player in the entirety of the Scottish top flight.

The £7.1k-per-week winger was also in excellent form over his five Europa League outings, scoring two goals, providing two assists and creating four big chances for his teammates – returns which saw the forward average a SofaScore match rating of 7.40 in the competition.

As such, it is clear for all to see that retaining the services of Jota beyond the end of the current campaign would be something of a major coup for the Bhoys, as the Portuguese youngster very much looks to possess the ability to help take Celtic to the next level both in domestic and European competition.

In other news: Ange can finally axe £900k-rated Celtic “part-timer” with swoop for £3.5k-p/w machine

Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United side head into Tuesday evening’s Premier League fixture in the midst of a worrying run of form, with the Whites having won just two of their last ten league outings – leaving the 66-year-old’s team languishing down in 15th place in the top-flight standings.

On top of this, the Argentine coach is having to deal with something of an injury crisis at Elland Road, with the likes of Kalvin Phillips, Liam Cooper, Patrick Bamford, Robin Koch and Rodrigo Moreno having all missed the 3-2 loss to Chelsea on Saturday, and once again look set to be sidelined for the trip to Manchester City this evening.

As such, Bielsa will undoubtedly be nursing a rather large selection headache as he attempts to fit a number of square pegs in round holes in his starting XI against Pep Guardiola’s side, however, one player who would appear to be a shoo-in for a start at the Etihad is 19-year-old centre-forward Joe Gelhardt.

Gelhardt could give Guardiola nightmares

Despite having been handed just one Premier League start this season, Gelhardt has nevertheless proven he is something of a game-changer in the Leeds United attack.

Indeed, after being brought on with 27 minutes remaining against Wolverhampton Wanderers back in October, with his side trailing the visitors 1-0, the £1.17m-rated man single-handedly turned the course of the game on its head, first by drawing a fantastic save from Jose Sa between the Wolves sticks, before surging into the opposition penalty area in the dying moments and winning his side a penalty – which Rodrigo tucked home to secure Leeds a share of the spoils.

More recently, after being brought on in the closing stages against Chelsea last weekend, the 19-year-old who Conor McGilligan dubbed “predatorial” once again changed the game, drawing Leeds level with his first touch of the ball – fantastically sliding home Tyler Robert’s low cross past a helpless Edouard Mendy.

As such, it is an incredibly easy argument to make that, in the absence of Bamford, Bielsa simply must unleash the £16.5k-per-week Gelhardt from the off this evening, as the England U21 international undoubtedly has the ability to cause Guardiola and his side nightmares on Tuesday.

In other news: LUFC must avoid disaster on £22k-p/w gem who “transmits security”, MB would be furious

Kumar Sangakkara scored an unbeaten 78 off 37 balls – Sri Lanka’s fastest fifty – to lead his team to 215 in Nagpur, a total that proved beyond India’s reach

The Bulletin by Sriram Veera09-Dec-2009
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were outKumar Sangakkara equalled the record for the fastest fifty by a Sri Lankan•AFPKumar Sangakkara starred with his highest Twenty20 score, a serenely-destructive 37-ball 78, as Sri Lanka thumped India by 29 runs in Nagpur. Chamara Kapugedera pitched in with a cameo to charge Sri Lanka to 215, a total that proved too much for India, who fell away after a promising start provided by Gautam Gambhir.Gambhir tried valiantly with a counter-attacking fifty but it was Sangakkara who stole the show. He played only one dot ball till reached his fifty – from 21 deliveries, the quickest for Sri Lanka – but it wasn’t a conventional Twenty20 knock in which the batsman goes hell for leather. There weren’t many ugly swipes or heaves and anything unconventional was designed with the field in mind.Sangakkara’s innings sparked off in the ninth over against Pragyan Ojha’s left-arm spin. He chipped the first delivery he faced from Ojha over mid-on, swept the next to the boundary and lifted the third for a six over long-on. There were more classy strikes, the highlight being a chipped shot over mid-on to a length delivery from the debutant Ashok Dinda. Sangakkara’s predetermined shots also came off perfectly: when he shuffled to the off side, the ball was invariably so full that it was easily lapped around the corner; when he moved outside leg, he flat-batted short-of-length deliveries over mid-on or mid-off.It wasn’t a solo show from him, though. Sangakkara found support from his partners at various points in the innings – Tillakaratne Dilshan at the start, unfurling a couple of on-the-up hits, Chamara Kapugedera in the middle and Angelo Mathews at the very end. Kapugedera was fluent against everyone but he reserved his best for Ashish Nehra, looting 18 runs from the 19th over with four boundaries to all parts of the ground – a punch over cover, a pull, a slice and a cut over point – which reflected the bowler’s poor lines.The run-glut came after India started with four tight overs, only for their bowling and fielding to disintegrate under pressure. Nehra and Ishant Sharma got the ball to skid from short of a length and cramped the openers for room but the fielding gave way first after which the bowling buckled under the assault. Yuvraj Singh dropped a sitter at point off Jayasuriya when he was on 2.After the let-off, Jayasuriya went berserk in the fifth over, bowled by Nehra, taking him for 22 runs with five boundaries, including two lap-shots past the short fine-leg fielder. Dilshan was dropped too, with Ishant missing a straightforward return chance, and he too took full toll. Though the openers didn’t go on to make big scores, they had broken the shackles and set the platform for Sangakkara to play a gem.Despite Virender Sehwag’s fall in the third over, Gambhir helped India take 76 from the Powerplay but their hopes started to sink with his departure. Gambhir’s was a cheeky yet intelligent innings and he peppered the off-side field with his well-timed drives – the highlight being a sequence of seven fours from nine deliveries spread over two overs from Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulasekara. Despite a crowded field – a short point, backward point, cover point and cover were in place – he stole five of those seven boundaries through the off side. However, he fell while trying to paddle sweep Angelo Mathews and India lost four more wickets, including those of MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh, in three overs as the chase derailed spectacularly. The bowling was disciplined, without ever being threatening, but India were done in by the pressure of the steep run-rate.

Flocking to Twitter, many Nottingham Forest fans have erupted over an official club tweet involving loanee defender Djed Spence amid his impressive run of form.

The 21-year-old, who signed on loan from Middlesborough late in the summer transfer window, has gone on to become a revelation under Steve Cooper at the City Ground.

According to WhoScored, Spence has averaged the second-highest match rating per 90 out of this entire squad whilst completing more dribbles per 90 than any Forest player with more than two appearances.

Marking himself out as one of their top performers so far this season, the young defender has just been rewarded as Forest posted an official club tweet. Indeed, for his outstanding contribution over the month of October, Spence has now been named the club’s player of the month.

Forest fans erupt…

Flocking to this announcement, many supporters were overjoyed, whilst a few pleaded with the club to sign him on a permanent deal. There were also those who aren’t looking forward to seeing him return to his parent club, and given his performances so far, it’s little wonder why.

Check out some of their verdicts on this news below:

“Announce him as permanent please”

Credit: @cantwellsbabexo

“Sign him up in Jan ASAP.”

Credit: @Four_X_2K3

“Got a nasty feeling the new Boro manager will want him back. Hope not – I very much hope Forest can sign him permanently. He’s been awesome.”

Credit: @TeddyLesterCoC

“Give Boro whatever they want”

Credit: @NFFCJoe

“Unreal”

Credit: @RYANKING261

“not ready to see him leave”

Credit: @ClaireNffc_xo

“Listen, Forest might not thank me but get the contract out, put it on the table. Let him sign it, Let him write whatever numbers he wants to put on there, given what he’s done since he’s come in. Djed’s at the wheel, man. He’s doing it. He’s doing his thing. Forest are BACK!”

Credit: @Hilly14HD

Ireland will be boosted by the presence of captain William Porterfield in the one-day and four-day squads to play Scotland over next week in Aberdeen

Cricinfo staff15-Aug-2009

Ireland will be boosted by the presence of captain William Porterfield in the one-day and four-day squads to play Scotland over next week in Aberdeen.Gloucestershire have left Porterfield out from their side for the County Championship match against Leicestershire, leaving him free to play Ireland.Ireland and Scotland first play an Intercontinental Cup match starting on August 17, followed by two ODIs on August 22 and August 23. Phil Simmons, the Ireland coach, said the game against Scotland would help Porterfield fine-tune his batting. “William is obviously disappointed at not being involved in the Gloucester four-day team at present, but this game gives him a great opportunity to fine-tune his game and make a big score,” Simmons said. “I have a feeling that Scotland may well experience a bit of a backlash from him. His inclusion further bolsters a strong Ireland batting line-up, which may very well be needed on the traditionally seamer-friendly Aberdeen track.”Last month Ireland, led by Porterfield, won their three ODIs against Kenya. He missed their drawn opening Intercontinental Cup game against the same side.Ireland also named a 12-man A squad, led by John Mooney, for a match against the MCC at Lord’s on August 19.Ireland ODI squad: William Porterfield (capt), Andre Botha, Andrew Britton. Alex Cusack, Peter Connell, Shane Getkate, Trent Johnston, Kyle McCallan, John Mooney, Kevin O’Brien, Paul Stirling, Regan West, Gary Wilson (wk), Andrew White.Ireland A squad: John Mooney (capt), Andrew Balbirnie, Peter Connell, George Dockrell, Chris Dougherty, Phil Eaglestone, James Hall, Nigel Jones, Gary Kidd, Fintan McAllister (wk), Eddie Richardson, Reinhardt Strydom.

Senior West Indies players including Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Jerome Taylor, will be available for the team’s tour of Australia despite being left out of the Champions Trophy squad

Cricinfo staff18-Aug-2009Senior West Indies players including Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Jerome Taylor, will be available for the team’s tour of Australia despite being left out of the Champions Trophy squad according to a WICB director.Paul Campbell, one of two Jamaicans on the board, said that as long as players make themselves available for the domestic one-day tournament, which starts in October, they will be considered for selection for the tour of Australia.”All players are expected to make themselves available for the regional one-day tournament, and, as such, would be in contention for a place on the team for the tour of Australia,” Campbell told the .West Indies’ leading players have been involved in a contractual dispute with the board in recent months and it led to a shadow team being selected to play the series against Bangladesh. West Indies lost both the Test and one-day series, but the selectors have shown faith with the fringe players who filled the gap during and the squad for the Champions Trophy will be led by Floyd Reifer.Joel Garner, also a WICB director, said it was important to show loyalty to the those who faced Bangladesh and that it was time players realised that representing West Indies should be an honour.”I do not think that we have asked the players that are playing cricket for West Indies to take up a gun and go to war, or anything like that,” he told CBC Radio. “It is a case of national duty and representing the region, and I think that is an honour.”I think the time has come when [the WICB] has to draw the line and try to get the players to understand that there is a sacrifice that has to be made. We can’t keep doing things business as usual. We have to look to see how best we can improve West Indies cricket.”I think you have to reward the people that have been loyal to you and at the end of the day, they withdrew their services.”

Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentaryKatherine Brunt took two wickets in her first over as England dominated in clinical fashion•Getty Images

Women’s cricket has struggled for publicity and attention for years, but if England’s world champions continue to produce performances like today’s, they will have to get used to the limelight and subsequent accolades. Not even the absence of their inspirational captain Charlotte Edwards stuttered their stride at Chelmsford, as Sarah Taylor’s 74-ball 68 led them to the most clinical of wins against a shell-shocked Australia in the first of five ODIs.Impressive though Taylor was, it was England’s bowlers who set up such a convincing win, dismissing Australia for just 133 – an outstanding display following their humbling in the Twenty20 last week. Then, Shelley Nitschke produced a fine allround performance to beat an England side who looked jaded and a little hungover from their ICC World Twenty triumph. Today, however, Nitschke fell first ball to the returning Katherine Brunt, and England’s spearhead followed it up with the wicket of Lisa Sthalekar, edging a beautiful outswinger behind, and Taylor did the rest with a smart catch, low to her right. Right from the off, England were on the money.The two early blows left England exuberant, Australia shocked. All eyes were on Karen Rolton, the former captain, as she tried to rebuild, but Isa Guha – recalled for the Twenty20 last week, but who looked short of form – gained encouraging movement through the air, and had Rolton edging behind for just a single. Nicky Shaw, the stand-in captain, rotated her bowlers regularly, and she herself was in metronomic form, conceding a remarkably miserly four runs in her first four overs, removing her opposite number, Fields, for a combative 15.It was the introduction of Holly Colvin, however, which really turned the screw. A lovely flighted delivery to Poulton – shocked into submission today – had her caught at long-on, and when Ellyse Perry was brilliantly stumped by Taylor for a 16-ball single, Australia were in a desperate hole at 42 for 6, and in danger of recording their lowest-ever totals in ODIs.Alex Blackwell became the seventh victim – a horrid slog across the line – before a brief renaissance took place between Lauren Ebsary and Rene Farrell, the pair putting on a face-saving 30 for the eighth wicket. They avoided their lowest-ever total (77), and their worst against England (119 for 9), thanks to Farrell and the No.11, Andrews, who put on a record tenth-wicket partnership of 36 in just under 15 overs of dull but necessarily cautious cricket, occasionally pitted by a boundary.It was never going to be nearly enough, and Taylor and Caroline Atkins stroked England towards their target, barely offering a chance. Taylor began cautiously against the new ball before cutting Sarah Andrews powerfully for four. The pair’s running was urgent, purposeful and another loose delivery from Ellyse Perry was thrashed for four more past point. The shot of the day came five balls later when Taylor cracked Perry on the up, beating cover’s hopeful dive, and England’s 50 was up in the twelfth over. By comparison, at the same stage Australia were tottering on 34 for 4.Australia’s new captain, Jodie Fields, swapped her bowlers around regularly, but the spinners were comfortably milked by England’s openers. Leah Polton’s first legbreak was square-driven beautifully by Atkins, before Taylor swept her powerfully through midwicket to bring up England’s hundred, leaving them a further 27 to win from as many overs. Taylor was in a hurry, clobbering Erin Osborne over her head for the most authoritative of fours, though she did blot her copybook with a loose slog to fall with 15 still needed.This was a champion performance by a team who continue to play with style and panache, two adjectives not commonly associated with women’s cricket even two years ago, but which are now increasingly apt with this England side.