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SYDNEY, Nov 17 AAP – A late flurry of wickets to former NSW allrounder Mark Higgs handed South Australia victory in a thrilling Pura Cup cricket match at the SCG today.

Valkerie Mangnall17-Nov-2002SYDNEY, Nov 17 AAP – A late flurry of wickets to former NSW allrounder Mark Higgs handed South Australia victory in a thrilling Pura Cup cricket match at the SCG today.Higgs, recruited from the Blues in the off season, bagged four wickets under immense pressure, propelling his new state to a 27-run win in a match that had everything, including the placement of former Test star Mark Waugh on report for dissent.Higgs’ 4-25 from 9.4 overs helped bowl the star-studded home side out for 255 in its second innings, short of the 283-run target late on the final day.That was after the Redbacks had already claimed first innings points with 397 on the back of man-of-the-match David Fitzgerald’s fine 153 before NSW skipper Steve Waugh closed his side’s first innings at 9(dec)-296.Higgs top scored for SA’s second innings of 181 with 70 but his finest moment came when he bowled Michael Bevan for 114 to end the match.Test skipper Steve Waugh defended his decision to send South Australia in on a green wicket in gloomy conditions, which later turned fine, after winning the toss.”The way the coin falls does not determine whether you win or lose a game,” Waugh said.”We bowled poorly first day, dropped some chances, and day four we batted poorly, we should have won the game so it’s pretty simple – we threw it away today.”But South Australia hung in there well, it was a good performance by them.”SA skipper Darren Lehmann was thrilled with the win that put SA on par with Victoria at the top of the table on 14 points, two ahead of NSW, after an action-packed battle that included 18 wickets and 404 runs on day three.”To beat a quality side with so many Test players in it like New South Wales and to come up here to Sydney with an inexperienced side, blokes who haven’t been to Sydney before, we were really happy with that,” Lehmann said.”I think it was probably the best game of cricket I’ve played in for a long time, in Shield cricket, for pure entertainment for four days, to go down right to the last hour was fantastic.”Michael Slater joined Bevan in a 150-run partnership after the home side resumed on an unsteady 2-11.Slater looked in good touch, stroking eight fours and a six to reach 91 before he was caught by Ben Higgins at short leg off the bowling of John Davison after lunch.Steve Waugh was unable to repeat his first innings heroics as he fell lbw to Ben Johnson for just seven, a stark contrast to his earlier knock of 135.Davison struck again when Mark Waugh was given out, caught behind by Shane Deitz for a duck.The batsman clearly didn’t like the decision, standing his ground for some time with one hand on his hip after the judgement was made and he was seen talking to umpire Darrell Hair as he left the field.Hair called on the batsman to appear at a hearing before commissioner Alan Sullivan QC after play with a decision to be made later in the evening or another day.Having bowled just one over before tea, Higgs was returned to the fray and the move paid off when Nathan Pilon (seven) smacked a full toss to Lehmann for a sharp catch at mid wicket.Brett Lee may have starred with the ball, taking 11 wickets for the Blues, but he only managed one with the bat before being bowled by Higgs.Harris finished with 2-37 while Davison added 2-67 to his first innings 5-81.

Expect some more evidence of applied technology analysis of India’s batsmen and bowlers when New Zealand step out onto the Basin Reserve for the first National Bank Test starting tomorrow

Lynn McConnell11-Dec-2002Expect some more evidence of applied technology analysis of India’s batsmen and bowlers when New Zealand step out onto the Basin Reserve for the first National Bank Test starting tomorrow.New Zealand gave Australia the toughest battle they have had since losing their three-Test series to India in early 2001, when drawing their series in Australia last year.Part of the reason for that was a deliberate, and obvious, plan of attack for individual Australian players.Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne were effectively neutered by the New Zealand batting plan while batsmen were all given the treatment with varied fielding positions, but the one most affected was middle-order batsman Damien Martyn.Kiwi captain Stephen Fleming downplayed that part of New Zealand’s philosophy today when saying it was something that was always done.”The key thing for me was how well the players executed.”You can have all the best plans in the world but they’ll come to nothing unless players execute. The beauty of it was how well the guys bowled last year during the series and were able to put the batsmen under pressure.”There’s no secret that this is where we’re going to get them out.”It is about placing uncertainty, and putting pressure back on the batsman,” he said.”It’s up to the bowler and they have ownership of that plan and it was a pretty good result I thought,” he added.One player the New Zealanders will be looking to work out is flying opening batsman Virender Sehwag who unleashed himself on world cricket at New Zealand’s expense in Sri Lanka in 2001.”He’s aggressive, but I’m not sure what style he is going to play. Whether he’s played on these types of wicket before I’m not sure.”It’s up to his technique, and it’s up to us to exploit any flaws we may see in it.”I’m sure he’s got an idea of how he wants to play, we’ve got to combat that, and we’ve got to get him out quickly,” Fleming said.

Daniel Flynn, the young New Zealand batsman whose left front tooth was knocked out by a James Anderson bouncer yesterday, was not able to bat again in his side’s first innings but has been cleared of

Cricinfo staff24-May-2008
Daniel Flynn had his front tooth knocked out yesterday by James Anderson, and is unlikely to bat in New Zealand’s first innings © Getty Images
Daniel Flynn, the young New Zealand batsman whose left front tooth was knocked out by a James Anderson bouncer yesterday, was not able to bat again in his side’s first innings but has been cleared of concussion by a neurosurgeon.Anderson’s vicious bouncer reared up into Flynn’s grill during the first day’s play at Old Trafford, removing his tooth and forcing his retirement. The blow also cracked one of his lower teeth which was removed by dentists yesterday evening, and Flynn was said to have suffered a groggy and sleepness night of nausea and vomiting.”Right from the start he wanted to go back out. It’s the nature of the bloke, he’s a very keen competitor and tough as old boots,” Lindsay Crocker, the New Zealand manager, said. “He’s been quite nauseous and I think he’s been vomiting, so in those circumstances we don’t want him to go out there.”There had been rumours Flynn would continue his innings after lunch, but the nausea persisted into the afternoon, prompting a second visit to the hospital. “The plan changed a bit. We were hopeful [he would bat] and were waiting for his nausea to die down. But as he was getting himself ready to bat he started to feel nauseous again and after lunch we cancelled the plan for him to bat.”A second visit to the hospital to see a neurosurgeon ruled out concussion, but despite the positive prognosis, Crocker added that it was too early to confirm whether Flynn would play any further part in the game. New Zealand’s 12th man, Jeetan Patel, deputised for him on the field this afternoon.”He’s back at the hotel and won’t field,” John Durning, a spokesman for the team, told reporters after Saturday’s play. “Before he comes back he’ll have to some gym work just to see how pressure affects him. If he’s not right he won’t bat. There’s not any reason to suggest he won’t be able to bat. But we thought we had him [ready] right before lunch but then he got a bit queasy.””He’s had a scan and that was all-clear and that’s the main thing, so he’s got no damage.”Anderson, Flynn’s tormentor, remained relatively unsympathetic towards the batsman. “It’s just one of those things,” he said after the first day’s play. “I’m trying to get him out and I want to make it as uncomfortable for him as possible. I’ve hit people on the head before but never had teeth to show for it.”

A major update has emerged on Preston striker Jayden Stockley, one which will impact Portsmouth’s transfer plans this summer.

What’s the talk?

According to Hampshire Live, Portsmouth are set to miss out on a deal to sign Preston North End striker Jayden Stockley this summer. Pompey had agreed a fee with Preston for Stockley, but League One rivals Charlton are now the favourites to land his signature as that is the player’s preferred destination.

The report claims that Portsmouth manager Danny Cowley was a keen admirer of Stockley and was eager to add him to his squad ahead of next season. Pompey are not the only League One team to be hit by this blow, as Sheffield Wednesday, Sunderland and Ipswich have also been named being interested in Stockley.

Charlton owner Thomas Sandgaard lavished praise on the “prolific” forward upon his arrival at The Valley in January. He told London News Online:

“It’s great we have been able to bring in another prolific striker to the club. Jayden has shown he can score goals and gives us more options going forwards.

“Interest in Jayden was high, so I am delighted we have been able to bring him to Charlton. We have a strikeforce that will be the envy of many teams in our division, so I’m looking forward to seeing them in action.”

Cowley will be devastated

Portsmouth head coach Cowley will be devastated by this update. It had appeared as though Portsmouth were on course to win the race for Stockley, due to a prior report from Hampshire Live, but now, they have been dealt a cruel blow with Charlton pushing past them to snap him up.

After agreeing a fee with Preston, they will now watch Stockley join one of their League One rivals and potentially help them get promoted to the Championship next season if all goes well for Nigel Adkins.

The English dynamo was directly involved in 10 goals for Charlton in League One. He managed eight goals and two assists in 20 starts for the Addicks and was previously prolific for Exeter in the Football League, scoring an impressive 49 goals in 98 games whilst also providing seven assists. This shows that he has a proven track record of performing in the EFL and that he could have been an added goal threat for Cowley’s team, which is why the Pompey boss was keen to sign him from Preston.

Goalscoring is not his only strength as a striker. Stockley’s target man play for Charlton was exceptional last season as he averaged 9.8 aerial battles won per game. He was also dispossessed just 0.8 times per game, which shows that he was able to hold on to the ball well without defenders taking it off him – offering a valuable outlet for teams who need to clear the ball away and get up the pitch.

Cowley will be devastated that he has missed out on a deal for Stockley at the last minute, given how good a player he’s proven to be at the League One level.

AND in other news, Get it done: Pompey must seal deal for “great” £2.2k-p/w ace after Cowley’s comments…

Steve Green (Easton & Martyr Worthy CC) Suspended for two League matches, with a further ban of one match suspended for two years

SPCL Committee Release30-Aug-2002The following suspension has been confirmed, with effect from 27 August 2002:Steve Green (Easton & Martyr Worthy CC)Suspended for two League matches, with a further ban of one match suspended for two years.The suspension applies to organisations affiliated to the Hampshire Cricket Board and to neighbouring county boards.

Many Everton fans have been left to fume as a manager update emerged from Fabrizio Romano.

As per Romano, Nuno Espirito Santo is ‘one step away’ from joining the Goodison Park faithful, with an agreement to be completed ‘soon’.

The Italian football journalist and transfer guru also added that he is expected to be announced as the new manager of the Merseyside club ‘in the next few days’.

Nuno certainly has some credentials for the role, given that he guided Wolves to two consecutive seventh-placed finishes in the Premier League after promotion from the EFL Championship, as the Toffees look to push on themselves to try and qualify for Europe.

However, his preferred three-at-the-back formation may not suit the Blues, especially if it ends up turning into five while defending. They will surely be looking to score more goals come the new season, having managed just 47 in the top flight last season, the fewest out of any side in the top half of the table by far (Sky Sports).

With this in mind, and also the number of potential other candidates out there, it seems as if several EFC supporters are not happy with Nuno’s likely appointment.

Everton fans on Nuno manager update

These Everton fans fumed as the manager update was shared on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that it was ‘awful’:

“What a boring, uninspiring & safe appointment, his football is dreadful to watch. This was our chance to be bold, do something different. I’ll give him 18 months then we’ll begin another 5 year rebuild.”

Credit: @Ecclesbean

“Disgusting. Gone by Christmas. Joke of a club.”

Credit: @MichaelHilditc5

“What a joke of a football club we are”

Credit: @DeanOverton

“So now we’re happy with his huge backroom team coming? Don’t think we have any clue what we’re doing here.”

Credit: @OnTaribo

“Awful”

Credit: @knerts1878

“If true, this is another uninspiring choice.”

Credit: @KenCamara

In other news, find out what other manager update has left Toffees fuming here!

Even if they cannot open it just yet, Surrey can put the celebratory championship champagne on ice after reaching 544 against Warwickshire and so take a first innings lead of 199.

Ralph Dellor29-Aug-2002Even if they cannot open it just yet, Surrey can put the celebratory championship champagne on ice after reaching 544 against Warwickshire and so take a first innings lead of 199. Nadim Shahid led the way on the third day with an innings of 116, Adam Hollioake was 82 not out while Ali Brown weighed in with a half century. There were four wickets each for Ashley Giles and Dougie Brown. Second time around, Warwickshire have reduced the arrears to 45, but they have lost three wickets in doing so.Having gone all season without winning a match in defence of their title, Yorkshire have now had back-to-back victories. Hampshire were the victims this time, with Richard Dawson taking five wickets as they were bowled out for 161. Yorkshire required 151 to win and did so for the loss of three wickets. Vic Craven scored 72 while Matthew Elliott was 52 not out when the win was completed.Lancashire were winners as well, skittling out Somerset for just 71 to win by 336 runs. Glen Chapple took six for 30 in Somerset’s second innings when only Matthew Wood and Peter Bowler managed double figures.To complete the results in Division One, Leicestershire beat Sussex by eight wickets. Kevin Innes delayed the inevitable with an undefeated 49 in the Sussex second innings of 142, while Philip DeFreitas took four wickets. That left Leicestershire 111 to win and they only lost two wickets in reaching the target.Middlesex have the edge in the heavyweight Division Two battle at Worcester. Worcestershire are 251 for five in their second innings after four wickets each for Ashley Noffke and Chad Keegan in the first innings as Middlesex enforced the follow on. Graeme Hick did not add to his overnight 101, but Ben Smith reached a half-century. Both got into the sixties before falling in the second innings, when Worcestershire lead by 39 with five wickets remaining.Steve James went on to 184 and there was a century for Adrian Dale as Glamorgan reached 495 all out in their first innings. Nicky Boje took six wickets for Nottinghamshire, who trail by 31 runs on first innings.Northamptonshire wrapped up the Durham second innings for 136 with Carl Greenidge finishing with six wickets, leaving themselves 141 to win. Northamptonshire lost three wickets in reaching their target, but never appeared to be in danger of failing to do so.

Despite winning May’s player of the month award and scoring seven goals in seven games and eight goals in 11 starts, former Newcastle United defender Steve Howey has exclusively told Football FanCast that he would not pay £30 million for Joe Willock.

Willock won the last player of the month award after scoring four goals in four games and after saying an emotional farewell, there has been mixed speculation regarding the midfielder’s future at the Emirates.

There is an expectation on Tyneside that the Magpies are still likely to lodge a £20 million bid for Willock despite Mikel Arteta claiming that the Gunners will plan for the future with Willock.

Newcastle have not had a player like him since Georginio Wijnaldum as none of their other midfielders have a willingness to get forward and score goals, however Howey does not believe Steve Bruce should blow £30 million on the 21-year old:

“He’s impressed me massively but I wouldn’t spend £30 million on him even though I do think that he did superbly well at Newcastle.”

Depending on which reports you trust then it appears that Arsenal are wanting to either receive £20 million or £30 million for their academy graduate and with Steve Bruce’s budget reportedly being £10 million, it paints a bleak picture.

Willock was Bruce’s one and only signing last January when he joined on deadline day and with not many people expecting too much from him, he netted on his debut against Southampton and never looked back.

Muttiah Muralitharan has pulled out of the Sri Lankan squad that will take part in the forthcoming NatWest Series of one-day internationals against England and India starting on June 27th at Trent Bridge

Charlie Austin21-Jun-2002Muttiah Muralitharan has pulled out of the Sri Lankan squad that will take part in the forthcoming NatWest Series of one-day internationals against England and India starting on June 27th at Trent Bridge.The off-spinner has been suffering from a shoulder injury that kept him out of the first Test at Lord’s and he was not fully fit for the matches that followed at Edgbaston and Old Trafford. Nevertheless, he bowled 64 overs in Birmingham and took five wickets, while he delivered another 62 overs in Manchester and took another three wickets. Despite his considerable efforts, Sri Lanka lost both matches.Now the Sri Lankan tour management are worried about the effect on his future fitness if he continues to play while carrying the injury and have decided that he should return home to prepare for the forthcoming series against Bangladesh. A replacement player has been requested.Chandra Schaffter, the tour manager, said: “The team management have decided to send Murali back to Sri Lanka. We did not feel he was fit enough to risk playing in a one-day tournament.”Physiotherapist Alex Kontouri added: “There’s no problem with him batting or bowling, but there would be a risk with him diving in the field.”Better news for the Sri Lankans is that Marvan Atapattu’s injured finger is making enough progress for him to be able to play against Gloucestershire in Bristol on Sunday, while pace bowler Nuwan Zoysa’s groin is not yet one hundred per cent but he should be fit enough to play in that game as well having come through a test against West Indies A at Hove on Wednesday.

Kristoffer Ajer could depart Celtic this summer after reported interest from Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

What’s the story?

According to the Glasgow Evening Times, the German side are keen to acquire the 23-year-old’s services over the coming months as they look to strengthen their first team squad following an underwhelming campaign.

The report added that Premier League duo Newcastle United and Norwich City are set to test Celtic’s resolve for Ajer as the race for the youngster’s signature intensifies.

Fans will be fuming

The Hoops have been without a permanent manager since Neil Lennon resigned from the role back in February.

Several big names have been linked with the vacancy, including Rafael Benitez and Roberto Martinez, but former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe came the closest to securing the role before talks broke down.

A surprise candidate in former Australia national team manager and current Yokohama boss Ange Postecoglou has since emerged, with the 55-year-old potentially being announced as the new Hoops boss in the next few days, but he could be set for a big blow before he’s even stepped foot in Parkhead.

Ajer has become a pivotal part of the Celtic team in recent years, making 176 appearances for the Bhoys as he collected eight major trophies during his time at the club. However, his time with the former champions looks set to come to an end in the summer.

The Celtic hierarchy made many controversial decisions last summer, deciding not to sell or renew the contracts of Ajer, Odsonne Edouard or Ryan Christie despite the trio’s deals ending in 2022. It now leaves the club in a very weak bargaining position, with their market value significantly reduced as they are set to become free agents in just 12 months’ time.

In reality, Celtic may have no choice but to sell the Norway international amid interest from several parties, but sanctioning the centre-back’s sale before a new manager is installed in the dugout may prove to be particularly contentious.

If Postecoglou is appointed as Lennon’s successor, then his task of overhauling a 25-point deficit to Rangers may just be that much harder without arguably his most imposing defender to call upon, which would likely leave Hoops fans furious.

In other news…McKay could deliver Celtic a huge upgrade with £8.1m-rated gem, fans will be buzzing