Greg King, the Indian team’s trainer, has informed the BCCI that he does not wish to continue with the job after the completion of the tour of Australia, a day after physio John Gloster expressed the same intent.”He [King] has said that he will not continue [as the Indian team’s trainer] after this tour [of Australia], citing personal reasons,” Niranjan Shah, the secretary of the BCCI, told Cricinfo.King has been involved with the Indian team since August, 2003, when he took over from Adrian Le Roux, and was contracted with the board till December, 2007, but had decided on making the trip to Australia.Prior to his stint with the Indian team, King, who is a post-graduate in Human Kinetics and Ergonomics, was a fitness trainer with the Border squad in South Africa.King and Gloster’s exits mean that the board will have to fill two vacancies in the support staff when Gary Kirsten takes over as coach on March 1.
Jamaica’s deputy police commissioner Mark Shields on Wednesday denied media reports that a second autopsy would be performed on the body of Bob Woolmer. “I can assure you there is no post mortem, there is no planned second post mortem,” Shields was quoted by AFP.He added that any post mortem would only be announced in consultation with the Kingston coroner’s office. “If there was any question of a second post mortem it would be something that I would discuss with him and announce,” Shields said.Several newspapers carried claims that the first autopsy was not thorough, and some have gone as far as suggesting that there were enough inconsistencies to indicate that Woolmer might not have been murdered at all, but could have died after falling heavily against a bathroom sink.The forensic pathologist, Ere Seshiah, initally claimed that the results of the first autopsy had been “inconclusive”, and Shields conceded that this might become an issue in the event of a trial. “The jury may want a second post-mortem and if we arrest someone this week and charge them, the defence counsel will want a second.”Shields also said the quality of footage taken from the CCTV cameras in the hotel was better than expected. “There were some people in the footage that I’d met in the week after the murder of Bob Woolmer that I could clearly and easily identify,” Shields said.His priority was to locate and interview as many witnesses as possible. “We are working from the inside out – it is those that we know were close to Bob Woolmer, were associates of Bob Woolmer, people who were on the same floor or close to him from the time he returned to the hotel until the time he was murdered.”He also said that it was highly likely that people had left traces of DNA at the crime scene. “The reason we’re taking DNA samples from everybody is to exclude them,” he said.
Michael Hussey has praised the good showing by Stuart Clark, the New South Wales fast bowler, in his debut Test series in South Africa and believes he is in for the long haul. As Australia prepare to take on Bangladesh for the first time on their home soil, Hussey has singled out Clark as a potent threat to the opposition.”When Glenn [McGrath] made himself unavailable for the tour of South Africa, we definitely needed someone to come to the fore,” Hussey told Sportal, an Australian website. “He got his opportunity after a long wait – really – to play Test cricket, and he grasped his opportunity with both hands by bowling absolutely beautifully on tour.”Clark was a revelation in Australia’s recent 3-0 drubbing of South Africa, claiming 20 wickets at 15.85 in his first Test series after being called up as replacement to McGrath. Clark took advantage of bowler-friendly conditions to lead Australia in total wickets, strike-rate (35.4) and registered the best individual figures for his side – 5 for 55 in the first Test at Cape Town.Hussey added that while Clark’s Test debut was overdue, he made the most of his selection and should consider himself in the running for a place in this winter’s Ashes series at home. Hussey said he expected Clark to be as effective as he was in South Africa even on the Bangladeshi wickets that traditionally offer little asstance to fast bowlers. “I hope this is the start of a long career for him,” he said. “He’s a fine bowler and a good bloke to have around the team,” he said.The first Test begins tomorrow at Fatullah.
Australia’s one-dayer against New Zealand, which was to be held at Westpac Park in Hamilton, has been shifted to the Basin Reserve after complaints with the pitch. The match has been preponed by a day, and will now be played on March 1. New Zealand took on a World XI last week on the fresh strip, but 16 wickets fell for 164, raising concerns of its suitability for international matches. Shane Warne was vocal about his doubts over the wicket, and then the New Zealand Cricket Board decided to transfer the game to another location.The chief executive of the New Zealand board, Martin Snedden, said, “The Basin Reserve presented us with the best option for a mid week match,” before explaining that the pitch could be relied upon, and the venue made geographically logistical sense as well. “…with matches in Auckland before the transferred match and in Napier immediately after, Wellington suited us better logistically than a South Island venue.”We were also conscious of the need to avoid flooding the Auckland marketwith cricket, as Eden Park is already holding three major matches during theAustralian tour.”This is the first time we have held an ODI at the Basin since 1999 and weare looking forward to a good response from the Wellington public.”
The former Bangladesh captain Aminul Islam is trying his luck in Australia,with a view to regaining his Test spot. Islam scored a memorable 145 inBangladesh’s first Test, against India in November 2000, but has been outof the national side since December 2002.Islam, 36, has travelled to Melbourne to play for the Ivanhoe club. He toldthe Melbourne Age newspaper: "I haven’t retired yet. So I wantanother chance to play for Bangladesh again and this is the best place toimprove my game and improve my form."Dav Whatmore, the former Australian Test batsman who is now Bangladesh’scoach, encouraged the move. "I spoke to our coach before I came," saidIslam, "and he said `If you do well in Australia, you might have a chance’."Islam’s Aussie adventure didn’t start too well, as he was out for 13 in hisfirst match. But Paul Kennedy, Ivanhoe’s president, put that down to acombination of jet-lag and unfamiliarity with Australian pitches.
In sport, you never know which are the opportunities which are the precursorto bigger and greater things.For Michael Vaughan, it was the second Test in Adelaide. Justin Langer caughthim when he was on 19 but it was referred to the third umpire who gave thebatsman the benefit of the doubt.Vaughan went on to make 177. Who knows how the rest of his series would havefared had Langer’s appeal be upheld? Three centuries? Who would know? Man ofthe series? Unlikely.For Sri Lanka, their opportunity was being sent in by Australia. They havecapitalised on it and have responded by making 5/343 against a sub-strengthAustralian line-up.But the bigger picture is what this innings means in terms of Australia.Brad Hogg is no Shane Warne. Brett Lee and Andy Bichel do not pose the samenew ball threat as Glenn McGrath or Jason Gillespie.In the already bowler short World Cup Australian squad, if one of thebowlers goes down, Australia is already in trouble. They have a long battingline-up but do they always want to be chasing scores of 300-plus?Watson going for 72 from his full quota and Hogg being carted for 72 fromnine is simply not acceptable if Australia wishes to do well at the upcomingWorld Cup.Twenty-nine in wides and no-balls does not aid their cause either.Will the Australian selectors be regretting their composition of the final15? The first XI are a great side but are the back-ups adequatereplacements?
Sachin Tendulkar passed another milestone during the third day of thesecond Test against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club. When he struckArnoldus Blignaut for his third boundary to move from 18 to 22,Tendulkar surpassed Dilip Vengsarkar’s tally of 6868 runs to becomeIndia’s second highest Test run getter (in 32 fewer matches and 60fewer innings).Only Sunil Gavaskar with 10,122 lies beyond the pale, for now.Tendulkar was caught at gully by Grant Flower off Heath Streak for 69to close the match with an aggregate of 6919 runs at 57.18. In theprocess, Tendulkar also moved into 23rd place worldwide, the two namesimmediately above him being Sir Leonard Hutton (6971) and Sir DonaldBradman (6996). Here is a list of India’s top 15:
Speaking to Voetbal International, as transcribed and shared by PSV Fans, journalist Marco Timmer has shared a big update on Liverpool’s links to PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo.
The Lowdown: Man in demand…
The 22-year-old has been making waves in Europe whilst enjoying a brilliant 2021/2022 season with PSV in the Eredivisie – attracting real interest from English clubs.
Liverpool and Arsenal have been named as suitors most recently, while Premier League champions Manchester City are also in the mix according to some sources.
Gakpo, able to play in a variety of roles across the forward line, has racked up an impressive 8 goals and 13 assists in the Dutch top flight alone – leaving little wonder why top clubs are monitoring his situation.
Sharing an update on Jurgen Klopp and FSG’s alleged desire to sign the attacker, Timmer has made a big out-of-window claim.
The Latest: Timmer makes big Gakpo claim…
Speaking to Voetbal (via PSV Fans), the reporter claims Liverpool have ‘already’ held talks over Gakpo.
“It is now a certainty that Cody Gakpo will leave PSV”, Timmer explains.
“The Eindhoven resident has already spoken to clubs such as Liverpool and Manchester City, while Bayern Munich is also interested.
“An intermediate step on his way to the absolute European top therefore seems to be his preference. At the moment, Arsenal are in pole position, but nothing is definitive.
“The London club will have to pay a record amount for Gakpo. PSV is aiming for at least forty million euros (£34m).”
The Verdict: Get it done?
While top flight rivals Arsenal currently hold the upper hand, Liverpool’s hijack swoop for Luis Diaz at the expense of Tottenham has taught us that Klopp’s side are still well in contention for Gakpo’s signature.
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For around £34m, the Netherlands international ace could be a real steal going by his goals/assists this season and he arguably stands out as one of European football’s most eye-catching starlets.
Called an ‘exciting’ player by former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, the ex-shot stopper turned pundit believes Gakpo would be a ‘real hit’ across the channel and ‘especially’ at Anfield – having watched him closely for PSV (Football Insider).
Robinson’s view on Gakpo could back just how shrewd a potential signing he could be for Klopp, not to mention the fact he has averaged more successful take-ons per 90 (3) than any Liverpool star this season (WhoScored).
In other news: Journalist says ‘perfect’ and ‘unplayable’ Klopp target will be a Liverpool player this summer! Find out more here.
Boeta Dippenaar, the South Africa batsman, has announced his retirement from international cricket to concentrate on building a life beyond the sport.”Where my cricket career stands now, I have to make the tough call and step away,” he told on Tuesday. “I want to improve my qualifications for life after cricket. Even if I were in the national team now I would have announced my retirement at the end of the season.”Dippenaar, 30, made his debut in 1999 but it took him a further 12 months to register his first hundred. Soon after, he lost his place to Herschelle Gibbs – a batsman of complete contrast to Dippenaar, whose strengths were his sweet timing and orthodox defence.In spite of a healthy first-class record for Eagles and Free State, amassing nearly 9000 runs at 42.99, he couldn’t translate that same form into his international career, though he found some success in one-dayers with 3421 runs and four hundreds.Captain of the Eagles, who this week won the SuperSport Series title, Dippenaar will also play for Leicestershire in 2008.”Some people may question my decision but it is something that my wife and I have reached certainty about during the past year,” he said. “I am grateful for the opportunities I have had. I am grateful that I was able to represent my country and I wish the national team all the best.”Graeme Smith, the South Africa captain, said though Dippenaar’s retirement announcement had come as a surprise, he had always known Dippenaar to have looked at the other parts of his life.”He studied for a law degree and he’s been chirping me about his helicopter pilot’s licence for quite a while.”Smith said Dippenaar’s experience would prove useful in the domestic game. “It’s encouraging to have men like that in the franchise circuit. With the international squad being away so much the guys don’t get enough opportunity to interact with players who have played at the highest level. They can’t always wrack a Jacques Kallis’s brain or a Shaun Pollock’s brain, so it is really encouraging that a man like Boeta is retiring from international cricket, but will still be part of the domestic game.”Cricket South Africa (CSA) wished Dippenaar well and hoped he would continue to be a role model for all the younger players in the franchise system.”CSA wishes Boeta and his family all the best in this new chapter of their lives, and we thank him for his most valued input into South African cricket at all the many levels he graced so well,” Gerald Majola, the chief executive, said in a statement.
Sri Lanka’s three-match ODI series against India scheduled for June will be finalised at the ICC board director’s meeting at Cape Town early next month where representatives of all countries including India will be present.The Sri Lankan board’s secretary K Mathivanan, who will represent Sri Lanka at the meeting, said he had got positive responses from both India and South Africa to postpone the Afro-Asia series scheduled for June to accommodate the Sri Lankan fixtures.”Everything is expected to be finalised when I meet up with the representatives of India and South Africa at the ICC meeting,” said Mathivanan. “India have a very tight schedule after the World Cup. They tour Bangladesh and then travel to Ireland for a three-match one-day international series against Australia as part of their commitment with Zee TV who are paying them handsomely to play several off-shore series,” he added.”The Afro-Asia series was sandwiched between these tours and there was no way they could have come to Sri Lanka unless it was postponed.”Sri Lanka are also scheduled to play in a triangular one-day series in Abu Dhabi towards the end of April where the participation fee for each team is expected to be in the region of US$ 500,000 to 750,000. Pakistan and South Africa are likely to be the other countries to participate.Sri Lanka have a busy schedule for the rest of the year with Bangladesh touring in June for a series of two Tests and three ODIs followed by the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa in September. England will then arrive for five ODIs in October and then return after Christmas for the second leg of their tour which will feature a series of three Tests. Sri Lanka will also have two legs on their tour of Australia which starts in November with two Tests. Their second leg commences in January when they go back for the one-day triangular series.