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For years now, Zimbabwe have been in a unique position in world cricket

John Ward09-Dec-2002For years now, Zimbabwe have been in a unique position in world cricket. Other countries have almost always been either much stronger or much weaker. There have been few contests where Zimbabwe have not been either underdogs, against senior Test-playing nations, or strong favourites, against Bangladesh and non-Test-playing nations. Occasionally they have upset the odds and beaten a senior side; only once, in an unofficial match, have they lost to a junior nation.That one occasion was against Kenya, almost ten years ago. Zimbabwe, having just toured India for the first time in March 1993 for a Test match and three one-day internationals, stopped off to play Kenya on the way home. Mentally exhausted, they lost, but never since then have they lost to a non-Test nation.Some local critics, disgusted at Zimbabwe’s string of defeats at the hands of Pakistan, have suggested that Zimbabwe will lose to Kenya in the coming three-match series. Pakistan, though, were extremely strong and almost at full strength, while Zimbabwe had a number of key players missing.Probably Zimbabwe’s greater experience will be enough for them to win, probably all three matches. Certainly after their recent experiences Zimbabwe are unlikely to be complacent and all too aware of what their critics are saying. They will feel that the best way to vindicate themselves, as much as they can, will be to beat Kenya handsomely and will be determined to do it. They should at least have Douglas Hondo and Travis Friend back in their ranks, although Heath Streak is still not fit and Andy Blignaut is unlikely to be either.It should be a high-scoring series, as both sides are stronger in batting than in bowling. When Kenya played Zimbabwe A in Kenya a year back, the Kenyan policy was to bat first if possible, and then give the bowling the full Gilchrist – launching a daring assault on the bowlers to rack up as high a total as possible. It worked as a surprise tactic, but by the end of the tour the Zimbabweans were coming to terms with it.The reason for this tactic was that Kenya acknowledged the weakness of their bowling and figured out that the best way to take pressure off their meagre attack and put it on the batting side was to run up totals of well over 300. It was a good plan, but they do not seem to have had the audacity since to try it out when playing one-day internationals against Test-playing countries. They might decide to give it a go against Zimbabwe now, though, as our bowling is not currently of the standard of senior Test-playing teams, and if they do it will be exciting.Kenya’s batting, though, is neither as strong nor as experienced as Pakistan’s. A full-blooded assault might work if it takes our players by surprise, and since Alistair Campbell himself was on that tour, he should be prepared for the possibility.The Kenyan captain is Steve Tikolo, a quiet courteous man who is perhaps not quite, as has been suggested, the best batsman in the world not to have played Test cricket – a couple of highly talented Australians have been unable to break into their Test team – but is still a high-quality player who would probably win a place in any Test team except for Australia. Former captain Maurice Odumbe is another class act with the bat, and these two have plenty of experience.Both are now into their thirties, and if Kenya do gain Test status in the near future they will not have long to enjoy it. There is pressure to fast-track Kenya into Test cricket after the World Cup, but if that happens it is sadly likely that they will suffer the same fate as Bangladesh, hammered by all-comers simply because they have not been properly prepared for it.Much as I wish Kenya success (although not against Zimbabwe!), I feel that they should not play Test cricket for several years because they would devalue it. Zimbabwe began Test cricket better than any newcomer except possibly Pakistan because of a long unbroken history of first-class cricket. We began with at least half the team well-grounded enough in the longer game to succeed. Bangladesh didn’t have that experience, and that omission speaks for itself in their sad record since gaining Test status. The same would happen to Kenya.Both these countries should have been prepared properly for Test cricket, as Zimbabwe were, and that should have happened several years ago. Both the ICC and the boards of these countries appear to have been at fault. Tour programmes should have been set up, as they were for Zimbabwe in our `limbo’ years from 1980 to 1992, so that cricketers from those countries could have played A sides from Test-playing countries home and away, especially in the longer version of the game.The ICC should have organized that, but since they didn’t, the home boards of those countries should have pressed for it far harder than they appear to have done. Kenya acknowledge their need for more competition against Test-playing countries, but it seems they do not recognize their need for first-class cricket – I feel that at least two first-class matches were needed on this current tour against Zimbabwe A as well as the three one-day internationals. Due to this lack, my feeling is that Kenya should wait for Test status until they have proved themselves in the longer form of the game. Sadly, that would be too long for class players like Tikolo and Odumbe.Kenya have several other talented and experienced – but at one-day level only – batsmen in wicket-keeper Kennedy Obuya, opener Ravindu Shah and Hitesh Modi. Coach Sandeep Patil also speaks highly of youngster Maurice Ouma, who can also keep wicket. The bowling is much thinner, and the key figure is the experienced seamer Martin Suji. Another player with great potential is all-rounder Thomas Odoyo, who is the team’s vice-captain.Zimbabwe’s bowlers will have a chance to make amends after their mauling by Pakistan, but they should not expect too many favours from the aggressive Kenyans. Lapses in line and length are likely to receive appropriate punishment. It may be that again the onus will be on Zimbabwe’s batsmen to take command of a match, and once more the Flower brothers will play the crucial role here. One can hardly bear to contemplate the plight of the Zimbabwe team without them, but that day might come all too soon. The ongoing situation in the country has quiet a number of players considering their futures, especially those skilful enough to win lucrative contracts abroad.It may be that Kenya will give Zimbabwe a closer contest than would be possible if any senior Test-playing country were the opposition. But my feeling is that the extra experience of the Zimbabweans will be a telling factor, although they will not have everything their own way. Things could be different if the selectors decide to experiment with too many young players as a trial for the World Cup, but the players themselves will want the strongest team available. Defeat by Kenya would be a humiliating setback.

New Zealand batsman Daniel Flynn has been passed fit to take part in his side’s three-day tour match against Northamptonshire, after recovering sufficiently from dental surgery

Cricinfo staff29-May-2008
Daniel Flynn resumed training at the gym but is yet to prove his match fitness © Getty Images
New Zealand batsman Daniel Flynn has been passed fit to take part in his side’s three-day tour match against Northamptonshire, after recovering sufficiently from dental surgery. Flynn, who was struck on the face by a delivery from James Anderson during the second Test at Old Trafford, appeared to be struggling to make the match but made progress over the last 24 hours.Flynn, who had his top two front teeth replaced by a Manchester dentist, had a light gym session on the eve of the tour match and, importantly, didn’t experience any nausea. Lindsay Crocker, the team manager, said Flynn was keen to return to action.”He’s a courageous little fellow and he is frustrated,” Crocker said. “But equally we want to make sure we get him right before we get him back into the fray.”New Zealand had decided to rest key players, including Jacob Oram and Chris Martin, in order try out Peter Fulton and Tim Southee, the fast bowler who missed the second Test at Old Trafford due to illness. Fulton, returning after an injury lay-off, said he would use this opportunity to reclaim his place in the middle order. He will, however, open the batting with Aaron Redmond in Northampton.”I haven’t played for over a month now so I guess I’m a little bit in the dark as to what my form’s like,” said Fulton, who last played a Test in January. “It’s easy to bat in the nets and say you’re batting well or say you’re struggling. There’s a bit of pressure riding on this game I suppose. I’ve got to try and get a big score and put some pressure on the guys in front of me.”

Celtic have reignited their interest in Liverpool defender Ben Davies, according to The Daily Mail’s Stephen McGowan.

The Lowdown: January drama

The Hoops looked set to sign Davies on a pre-contract agreement from Preston North End during the winter window. Reports suggested that a deal was all but completed, but the Reds came in at the last minute and signed him from Preston in a deal worth £2m to solve their defensive shortages.

Described as a ‘left sider’ by Charlie Adam, the centre-back is still waiting to make his Liverpool debut, and it seems as if Celtic are planning to go back in for the 25-year-old this summer.

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The Latest: McGowan’s claim

According to McGowan in The Daily Mail, the Hoops are back in the hunt for the centre-back. He claimed in a story on Thursday evening that Celtic are in competition with a number of English clubs looking to tie up a season-long loan deal.

Liverpool would rather sell Davies, who is on £60,000-a-week, but it seems as if the Hoops are eyeing a temporary move for him.

The Verdict: Centre-back links keep coming

By our count, Davies is the fourth centre-back who has been linked with a move to Parkhead in the past few weeks. The Hoops have also been credited with an interest in Hadjuk Split’s Mario Vuskovic, Rubin Kazan’s Carl Starfelt and Tottenham’s Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Bringing in two of the four could well be handy, especially with Kristoffer Ajer looking for a move away this summer.

That would leave Ange Postecoglou with Stephen Welsh, the injured Christopher Jullien and new signing Osaze Urhoghide as centre-back options, so securing two of the four should leave him with more than enough options in that department for his first season in charge.

In other news: Celtic target, who made a number of Parkhead demands, secures cheaper move elsewhere, find out more here. 

Bid documents were forwarded to nine interested parties from overseas, and the reputed international firm of Chartered Accountants PriceWaterhouse Coopers was requested to receive bids and evaluate same once tenders closed

BCCSL13-Jun-2008Consequent to the cessation of the contract between WSG Nimbus Pte Ltd and the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka, bids were called for from interested parties for the following:COMMERCIAL RIGHTS OF THE BCCSL
1.Television rights outside Sri Lanka
2.Radio rights outside Sri Lanka
3.Title sponsorships
4.Forty ground runners
Bid documents were forwarded to nine interested parties from overseas, and the reputed international firm of Chartered Accountants PriceWaterhouse Coopers was requested to receive bids and evaluate same once tenders closed.Tenders closed on the 29th of October 2001 and several bids were received. The bids were opened in the presence of two Partners of PriceWaterhouse Coopers, Members of the Interim Committee of the BCCSL, a representative of the Ministry of Sports, a representative of Julius & Creasy the BCCSL’s lawyers and legal counsel. Also present were representatives from the bidders.Once the tenders were opened, an evaluation was carried out by PriceWaterhouse Coopers, who recommended Taj Television, who are covering the ongoing Champions’ Trophy in Sharjah.A press conference will be held within the next few days to give more details of the terms and conditions of the agreement entered into with Taj Television.bccsl.mu.2001.28

Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe will not be moving to Aston Villa this summer, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The Lowdown: Villa’s bids

Villa have tried their luck regarding Smith Rowe this summer and made the attacking midfielder a top target.

The Gunners turned down bids in the region of £25m and £30m from Villa, who were thought to be planning a third bid.

Smith Rowe, valued at £16.2m by Transfermarkt, scored for Arsenal in their 2-1 pre-season defeat to Hibernian on Wednesday, and Mikel Arteta was quizzed on the 20-year-old following the friendly in Edinburgh.

The Latest: Romano’s post

Arteta admitted Smith Rowe will stay in north London beyond the summer. Romano added that the Gunners board are convinced he will sign a new contract in a Twitter post on Wednesday evening and a move to Villa won’t be happening.

“Mikel Arteta has just confirmed: “Emile Smith-Rowe will stay at Arsenal, 100% and no doubt”. AFC board convinced he’s gonna sign the new contract soon – no Aston Villa move for him.”

The Verdict: Time for McNeil?

Villa now have to move on to other targets, and one man who was named as a possible alternative to Smith Rowe earlier this month was Burnley’s Dwight McNeil, according to The Athletic’s Gregg Evans.

McNeil is an out and out left-winger, so should Villa now go for the Clarets man, that could mean Jack Grealish may have to move into the number 10 role for the new season.

Grealish occupied the left-wing spot on 19 occasions and an attacking midfield role eight times last season, so he’s more than capable of becoming Villa’s 10 in a possible front four of Buendia, Grealish, McNeil and Ollie Watkins.

In other news: ‘Got told’ – Ashley Preece now claims ‘important’ ace ‘is joining’ Aston Villa.

Everton have lift off in the summer transfer market. It’s been a long time coming but finally Rafa Benitez has completed his first deals as the Toffees manager.

They acquired the signatures of Andros Townsend and Asmir Begovic on Tuesday night but they’re close to confirming a third move of the window.

What’s the word?

Word has circled around Merseyside over the last few days that Everton were in advanced negotiations to bring Demarai Gray to Goodison Park.

He swapped Leicester for Bayer Leverkusen over 12 months ago but is already seeking a return to English football.

Valued at £7.2m, the winger looks set to head to the Toffees in a cut-price deal.

After confirming that Benitez had completed a deal for Begovic to join the club, Fabrizio Romano revealed on Tuesday that Gray’s arrival was imminent.

He said: “Next ones: Demarai Gray almost done and at final details.”

The new Walcott

If Everton managed to get a deal over the line they could discover their new Theo Walcott.

The English veteran moved to Goodison with a fine reputation in the Premier League.

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He dominated defences for Arsenal for a considerable period of time and had a habit of finding double figures in terms of goals scored.

However, after leaving the Gunners, his form completely deteriorated. Walcott’s explosive pace and willing desire to get on the end of a ball was still there but his sense of purpose inside the area deserted him.

The experienced winger scored just 11 times in 85 outings before completing a move back to his beloved Southampton.

The form he showed was very much in the vein of Gray, a player who possesses pace in abundance but has failed to ever really find the net on a consistent basis.

During his time with Leicester, Brendan Rodgers waxed lyrical about him: “He’s got wonderful talent. He can dribble, he can do everything. With Demarai, it’s always been about that end product, creating goals and assisting goals on a regular basis, and then working with an intensity to fit in with the structure of the team.”

Clearly a vibrant player on his day, he struggled with his composure, beating the goalkeeper on 13 occasions in 169 matches; a dismal tally for an offensive player.

Gray would be a valuable squad option for Benitez but one has to question his attacking numbers.

Walcott wasn’t a success in Merseyside and it’s unlikely the former Leicester man will be either. We’ll just have to wait and see.

AND in other news, Rafa could discover Everton’s new Leon Osman by signing “special” 34-cap maestro…

Australia’s first-class competition is to be called the Sheffield Shield once more after new sponsors Weet-Bix chose to restore the popular name of the competition

Cricinfo staff15-Jul-2008 Factfile The Sheffield Shield commenced in the 1892-93 season with New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria competing. Queensland entered the competition in 1926-27, Western Australia in 1947-48 and Tasmania in 1977-78. There have been 106 seasons when the Sheffield Shield was played, with no competition during the World Wars. New South Wales have won 45 times, while Tasmania won their first title in 2006-07.Twenty-three venues have hosted Sheffield Shield games with the Adelaide Oval, which hosted the first game in 1892, hosting the most – 367.In 1982-83 the first Sheffield Shield final was played. The team finishing on top of the table at the end of the preliminary rounds was allowed to host the final at a venue of its choice.The WACA has hosted the most finals, eight. New South Wales have appeared in 12 finals, winning the title nine times – three on neutral venues.Jamie Cox, the Tasmanian opening batsman, has appeared in the most number of games, 161.In 1999-2000, the domestic first-class interstate competition was called the Pura Milk Cup, and the Pura Cup from 2000-01 to 2007-08.
Australia’s first-class competition is to be called the Sheffield Shield once more after new sponsors Weet-Bix chose to restore the popular name of the competition. The tournament has been known as the Pura Cup since 1999, but in a move which will please the purists, Weet-Bix agreed that the Sheffield Shield could resume the name it had borne for 107 years.It promises to be a popular move, with many fans unhappy that the traditional name had been replaced with a sponsor’s for nearly a decade. Many have still referred to it as “the shield” throughout this period.The five-year deal with Weet-Bix was announced by Cricket Australia at a breakfast meeting at the MCG. “Cricket Australia is passionate about bringing back the history and tradition of the Sheffield Shield and we are appreciative of Weet-Bix for giving us the opportunity to do this,” James Sutherland, Cricket Australia’s chief executive, said. “This interstate first-class competition is most certainly the foundation upon which our number one ranked Australian Test team has been built.”I look forward to watching with interest the new breed of Australian players rising through the ranks by playing the Sheffield Shield presented by Weet-Bix.” Brett Lee, a Weet-Bix ambassador, was also present.Former Australia players Steve Waugh and Stuart MacGill welcomed the move. “I know it was disappointing when the competition was no longer called the Sheffield Shield because there was a lot of history attached to it and, even though Pura were great sponsors over the years, it’s nice to have the Shield back,” Waugh told the .”There are still a lot of people who recognise the Sheffield Shield and it’s great to have that bit of tradition in cricket. It will be nice for the younger players to learn about the history and why it’s called the Shield and about the domestic teams.”Stuart MacGill was part of the New South Wales that won the Pura Cup in 2007-08, and he admitted the different trophies created a bit of confusion in dressing room when it came to the tradition of outlining the trophy on the walls. “Some of us wanted to draw the shape of the Sheffield Shield while some of the others wanted to draw an outline of the Pura Cup,” he said. “I think in the end we didn’t decide on anything and left it.”I think it was a fairly predictable thing [the name change] but a cool thing and I’m glad they’ve done it,” he said. “The strength of the competition is the competition, not the trophy we’re playing for, and things won’t change from that point of view. But I think cricket is evolving on the field and there is still a lot of history off the field so it’s important we recognise that.”Cricket Australia had been searching for a sponsor since March, when speculation began that the competition would revert to its old name unless another sponsor signed. In the end, CA appear to have found a perfect solution – a sponsor who is happy not to stamp their own mark over history.

Leeds United are plotting a record-breaking transfer move for Sampdoria star Mikkel Damsgaard.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that Marcelo Bielsa’s team are one of the sides interested in signing the Denmark attacker, with Turkish publication Sabah claiming that the Yorkshire club, along with the likes of Barcelona, Juventus and Liverpool, among others, are all interested in landing him too.

And now, according to Il Bianconero (via Sport Witness), Leeds are pushing hard to get him to England this summer, although it will not come cheap.

The report claims that Sampdoria president, Massimo Ferrero, will not sell him unless he gets a good offer, and that’s said to be more than €30m (£26m).

Bielsa will be buzzing

Having splashed out a club-record fee of £26m to land Rodrigo from Valencia last summer, a move for Damsgaard would have to end up being a record-breaking one for Leeds, given Ferrero’s reported stance on the matter.

But, given his performances for both club and country, it would be money well spent.

Dubbed as “magical” by Norwegian football expert Martin Mikkelsen, he also added that the 21-year-old is “dynamic and can go both ways. He is creative but also so mature in his decisions.”

The £26m-rated star has also been hailed as being “phenomenal” by Denmark teammate, Kasper Schmeichel, for his performances at EURO 2020 over the summer – Damsgaard of course struck that superb free-kick in the semi-finals against England.

After hearing about the links to the Dane, former Leeds man Noel Whelan raved about the prospect of him arriving at Elland Road.

He said: “Wow, now he would be a signing. From what I have seen, he is the next big thing coming out of Denmark. Again, we are looking at players who are the right age and of the right profile. Somebody who would compliment what Marcelo Bielsa already has.

“Leeds nowadays are very intense and aggressive in their style of play and fitness plays a huge part. He looks to me as if he could do that as well, which is important because it’s not just about the little flicks. Damsgaard is a very exciting prospect. If we could get that deal over the line it would show just how far we’ve come in the last couple of years.”

With his ability to play all across the front positions, and the fact he’s only 21, Damsgaard appears to be the kind of perfect, versatile signing that Bielsa will love at Elland Road.

Meanwhile, Phil Hay has dropped an exciting Leeds United transfer update…

A round-up of the Emerging Players matches that took place on July 20

Cricinfo staff20-Jul-2008
ScorecardIt rained 723 runs at the Albury Oval as the Australian Institute of Sports prevailed by 19 runs against India Emerging Players and moved to the top of the table. Theo Doropoulos and Moises Henriques made merry with centuries to pilot Australia to what seemed an unassailable 371 for 5, but Suresh Raina’s 115 gave them a scare before India were bowled out for 352. However, the result could’ve been different had they managed to bat till the end of the 50th over.The run-fest began when Doropoulos and David Warner tore into the attack with an opening stand of 133, before Henriques joined Doropoulos to stitch the biggest stand of the match – 156. Doropoulos fell for 107 off 115 balls but the more dominant of the pair was Henriques who blazed to his ton in just 67 deliveries before eventually falling for 124 off 83. S Badrinath was left to rue his decision at the toss and at the interval, the Indians were up against it.India’s charge was led by Raina, who after a rich haul of runs in the Asia Cup, ripped into the academy attack and matched Henriques’ effort, reaching his ton in 65 balls. Badrinath, following a dip in returns in the two previous games, found his touch and played the supporting role to Raina. They added 131 for the third wicket before Raina fell. It was a crucial breakthrough as the Indians failed to build more partnerships. Badrinath missed his ton by five runs and his dismissal at 6 for 276 put Australia firmly in command. The tail gave the home side a few anxious moments before the chase folded up with 3.4 overs to spare. Doropoulos capped his hundred by taking 3 for 68 while Grant Sullivan took 3 for 62.
ScorecardAnother close contest unfolded at the WEP Harris Oval as New Zealand Emerging Players sneaked home by 10 runs against South Africa Emerging Players. Opener Martin Guptill’s half-century set up the victory but Imraan Khan’s 98 went in vain as his side could only muster 266 for 9 in 50 overs.Ahmed Amla sent New Zealand in and the openers, Guptill and Jesse Ryder, set the platform with a stand of 64. Greg Hay chipped in with 43 as New Zealand posted a competitive 276. South Africa were strengthened by a stand of 70 between Khan and Dean Elgar but two wickets – first by Brandon Hiini and then by Robbie Schaw – turned the match in New Zealand’s favour at 6 for 195. Khan fell two short of his ton, caught and bowled by Ryder, leaving his side at 7 for 212. Hiini and Schaw took three wickets apiece to seal the win. South Africa’s third defeat in four games left them at the bottom of the table, jeopardising the chances of defending their title.

With the Indian women’s team set to embark on their tour of England, their coach Shantha Rangaswamy has said she wants no sledging during the series

Cricinfo staff25-Aug-2008
Mithali Raj is full of confidence after India’s successful defence of the Asia Cup © Getty Images
With the Indian women’s team set to tour England, their coach Shantha Rangaswamy has said she wants no sledging during the series. Mithali Raj, India’s captain, had alleged on the previous visit in 2006 that the England team “were foul-mouthed and spoke rot”.”We won’t indulge in sledging. We will neither start it nor return it,” Rangaswamy said in Bangalore. “There is no place for it in women’s cricket, or in any other sport. We are optimistic they will also reciprocate. We will have a meeting with the England team before the series asking them to refrain from sledging.”The 16-day tour of England involves five one-dayers and a Twenty20. Niranjana Nagarajan is the only newcomer in the 15-member squad, which does not feature veteran Anjum Chopra and chinaman bowler Preeti Dimri.Raj said the team was well-prepared and had undergone a one-week training camp in Mysore. She said the England tour and the visit to Australia in October will provide good preparation for next year’s World Cup in Australia. She acknowledged that England, who blanked South Africa in both the ODIs and Twenty20s earlier this month, would be tough opponents but was confident India would put up a good show, particularly after their triumphant Asia Cup campaign.With the women’s Twenty20 World Cup to be held along with the men’s version next year, Raj felt the game’s shortest format was an ideal vehicle to popularise women’s cricket. “People say women’s cricket is slow and boring but Twenty20 would be ideal to showcase our cricket,” she said. “Its faster pace and shorter duration is what we need to draw spectators. We had played a curtain-raiser game during Afro-Asia Cup which was well received.”