A waterlogged outfield forced the third T20 between South Africa and India to be abandoned without a toss or a ball bowled at Eden Gardens. The no-result gives South Africa a 2-0 series win and deprived India of a shot at redemption.India captain MS Dhoni revealed at the presentation ceremony that they had planned on three changes to their starting XI: Ajinkya Rahane to open the batting, Amit Mishra to reinforce the spin department and Stuart Binny as the allrounder even as they targeted a consolation victory. Instead, they have slipped two places to sixth on the ICC T20 rankings, which is where South Africa sat before this series. The visitors have now moved up to fifth.South Africa did not reveal if they were going to give an opportunity to Eddie Leie or Khaya Zondo, but captain Faf du Plessis admitted to being disappointed at not being able to complete a whitewash. The showers that fell on Thursday had ceased at least an hour before play was due to begin and three supersoppers were in operation from then on, but the outfield remained soggy.Three inspections were conducted at hourly intervals, the first being 30 minutes after the scheduled start of play at 7pm and the last at 9:30pm, two-and-a-half hours after the game was due to begin. The latest the match could have begun was 45 minutes after that, at 10:15pm, when there would have only been time for between five and seven overs a side.Eden Gardens is due to host the World T20 final and there will be concerns over the drainage although India’s captain MS Dhoni said he did not expect the outfield to dry without any sun and given the amount of rain that fell and the exposed areas of the field.
Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has quashed rumours that he could move to Manchester United this summer, insisting that he is happy in Spain.
The 25-year-old has been linked with the Red Devils for some time, which has led some to speculate that the Premier League champions could make a move for his signature if Wayne Rooney leaves Old Trafford in the coming months.
Benzema’s future is uncertain at the Bernabeu, with the La Liga giants believed to be preparing mega money moves for Liverpool front-man Luis Suarez or Edinson Cavani of Napoli.
If either were to move to the Spanish capital, the Frenchman’s position would be under serious threat, which has led to suggestions that he could look to a move away.
But, Benzema says that he is content at Real and is not thinking about a transfer.
“Of course I’m staying,” he told Marca.
“I’m happy at Real Madrid and I’m not going to leave.”
Benzema was criticised by sections of Real’s support last season, with his 11 La Liga goals deemed to be a below-par output for such a talented player.
Even if Los Blancos sign big name players this summer, the ex-Lyon man is said to be keen to stay and battle for his place.
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Manchester United fans, is missing out on Karim Benzema a big blow? Or would you rather see Robert Lewandowski leading the line?
Ricky Ponting feels some of India’s cricketers have “misinterpreted what aggressive cricket means” during the ongoing one-day series. His comments come in the wake of Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s revelations about Australia’s cricketers using “harsh words” in the third one-dayer in Hyderabad.”Both teams can still play aggressively, but when the Australian team speaks about playing aggressively I think a lot of people get the wrong idea,” Ponting wrote in his column for the newspaper.”I don’t mean talking aggressively or showing aggressive body language. That’s exactly the opposite of what aggressive or positive cricket is all about. A few of the Indians have reacted very much with aggressive body language and trying to force themselves upon us, and I think the way some of them are playing their cricket that they have also misinterpreted what aggressive cricket means.”I suppose if some of the players don’t understand it, a lot of people watching the game in the stands or at home don’t understand it either. It’s not jumping up and down, sledging, giving people send-offs and that sort of stuff. When the Australian team talks about playing aggressively, we are committing ourselves to playing hard: there’s nothing given and there’s nothing asked to be given.”Though the Hyderabad game was hardly as hot tempered as the match at Kochi, Dhoni, had enough to complain about. “We discussed with the referee about not using harsh words, but Ponting did, and a couple of their players did,” Dhoni said after the game. He didn’t reveal what exactly was said by the players, though.Ponting felt his team had stayed within the confines of the spirit of cricket. “Some years back the Australian team committed itself to uphold the spirit of cricket,” he said. “A lot of the current players weren’t involved, but every player who comes into the team is clearly briefed on the idea and given direction on what’s acceptable and what’s not. We treat it very seriously and nobody comes in without understanding what we expect. I think it’s been a very positive thing if you look back at our recent history. It’s something I’m proud of. I think we have been one of the least reported teams in the world.”Ponting felt his side didn’t indulge in sledging, a term he said was associated with “swearing” or “making a personal attack” on the opponents. “If you look at any sport, Australian football, soccer, anything, there is always some sort of dialogue between players, and I think that’s part of sport at the highest level. But it’s very important that every Australian cricketer understands what he can and cannot do. It is why we have the spirit of cricket concept. It was brought in so we would not have our blokes reported. We have our own set of rules that we can act on to keep things from getting out of hand.”
Cricket Australia warned fans that “idiots” would not be tolerated at the upcoming Ashes series.South African players complained about being racially abused by crowds while touring earlier this year and Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said he wanted spectators to be well-behaved during the Ashes. “Action will be taken against anyone who fails to show respect for the people around them,” he said.New initiatives for the eagerly-anticipated Ashes series, which begins at Brisbane on November 23, include a mobile-phone text-messaging system to warn venue management about anti-social behaviour and extra security. There will also be increased closed-circuit television monitoring of crowds and announcements from pre-recorded appeals from Australian players for good behaviour during matches. Australian grounds already sell low alcohol beer at international cricket matches following crowd problems in previous years at one-day matches.Sutherland said Cricket Australia wanted to create a family atmosphere for genuine fans to enjoy watching England and Australia do battle. “No doubt there will be some idiots over the summer who do the wrong thing but we can assure fans that we will do all we can this season and in subsequent seasons to make their day the best it can be.”The rivalry between fans is expected to be intense during the sell-out series, with the tourists receiving vocal backing from the Barmy Army and the home fans itching to avenge last year’s defeat in England.
The ICC has confirmed that funding to the USA Cricket Association remains suspended, despite the short-term truce between the USACA and the Council of League Presidents.The two parties have been battling for control inside the USA, and this has ended up in the courts. Earlier this month, an interim deal was announced to enable the USACA to administer the game pending the next court appearance on November 7. Critics of the USACA were quick to point out that this compromise gave all effective power to the current board controlled by Gladstone Dainty.There had been talk that the deal might persuade the ICC to release funding which has been suspended since June when it tired of the endless infighting. But the ICC has made it clear that money will only become available when a clear and undisputed body which can run cricket emerges.The interim executive is set to meet on October 29 – nine days before the court sits – and Cricinfo understands that a number of potentially contentious issues have been tabled. These include: –
Approving or rejecting the ProCricket agreement with Kal Patel signed by on behalf of the USACA by Dainty
A request to formally invite Gary Hopkins to discuss a written contract/arrangement
Appointing a two-person delegation to explore cooperative arrangements with Major League Cricket
Eliminating the notorious “background check” process for disqualifying candidates which has been at the centre of the current row
Putting in place “conflict of interest rules” to make sure that no board or executive member could serve on selection committees or act as team officersOne source close to the situation said the proposer of these items knew that the split of the board in Dainty’s favour made it almost impossible for any of these motions to succeed.Given that the USACA and CLP have told stakeholders nothing of their activities in recent months – a situation partly arising through a court gagging order, but one which appears to suit both parties – it seems unlikely that anything public will emerge until November 7.
Stephen Fleming, who entered the tour with a mystery illness picked up in Bangladesh, has spent the best part of three days trying to stop a “thumping”. Today he got a composed 83 but his side was again struggling as he faced the press. For Australia Glenn McGrath took four wickets for a career total of 461, passing the combined record of Dennis Lillee in Tests, World Series and Rest-of-the-World matches.
Stephen Fleming On his health in the heat It’s pretty draining for all concerned and making decisions adds to it. I’m still feeling pretty good when I bat because you have to. It was good to get through last night and start with a clean bill today.On how the heat is affecting the team Most of the guys are in bed by 9 or 9.30pm. It’s not a 100 [for me today] but I had plenty of energy left when I got out.On walking after edging McGrath I thought it was pretty obvious and didn’t want to hang around. I’ve got no real personal stance, some days I find myself walking off, some days I don’t. Some days it may equate to being obvious, other days I think I may try and get away with it. It just depends on the mood.On getting out between 50 and 100 The last two years have been pretty good, I’m four and two in the right favour. I thought [McGrath] bowled a brilliant over and it was a genuine dismissal. My concentration was good up to then, and I’m not going to turn out a hundred every time. In the last two years it’s been proper batsmanship.On how the day went for New Zealand It was another disappointing one on this tour. They played extremely well, the lengths they bowled were outstanding and they’ve got the variation in Shane Warne.On what sort of target they will face They’ll probably leave us 800 and we’ll probably knock them off in two sessions. I guess they’ll bat till lunch tomorrow. Paul [Wiseman] was getting a few to turn and Shane will always get turn, but something could be achieved if there are a couple of heroes in our side.On the ear infection to Scott Styris It is disappointing when you need all hands on deck and he’s batting so low down. It exposed the tail a lot earlier than we would have like but it couldn’t be helped. When you are down things tend to spiral on you.On the overall situation The bottom line is we are being outplayed. We are being thumped.Glenn McGrath On beating Lillee’s combined record Dennis was always a hero of mine when I was growing up and someone to look up to. Even people classing me alongside Dennis is a huge wrap, but I’d never class myself equal or above him. When you see Dennis’s record it shouldn’t be 355 wickets, it should be 459.On why Lillee was great He was a fast bowler’s fast bowler. Some people think I’m a bit boring and don’t have the same charisma and open aggression as him. Whether or not you’d get away with it now is a different thing.On his bowling today It was hard work and at 0 for 40 things weren’t looking too good. They seemed to be scoring runs, there were a few edges, the luck seemed to be going to the Kiwis. If I kept it in the right areas I thought it would turn sooner or later. To walk off the park with 4 for 66, I’ll take that any day. It was good to get a few wickets for confidence.On the pitch It was pretty flat, there wasn’t much sideways movement. When I was bowling to Fleming there was a bit of reverse-swing. Warney will come into his own in the second innings.On not enforcing the follow-on There’s still two full days to go in this Test. Just because we are 300 runs in front people think we should enforce the follow-on. The guys will get a rest, maybe two sessions to freshen up a little bit, and then come at them again when we’ve got [a lead of] 500-plus.On New Zealand’s performance Fleming and Nathan Astle looked comfortable and put on a decent partnership. We thought if we could knock one or both of them over that was the key. For the rest we just got the balls in the right areas. Jason Gillespie was the pick of the bowlers and we bowled well considering the conditions.
Steve Waugh has said that he would like to retire at the end of Australia’s tour of India in 2004. He then intends to devote more time to Udayan, the Kolkata home for children of leprosy patients which he supports.According to a report by The Press Trust of India, Waugh said in an interview in Sydney: “I would like to end my career in India.” He has long described India as the “final frontier” for the Australian team to conquer, and swore after Australia’s defeat in 2001 that he would be back to set the record straight.That is not, however, reason for Khaled Mahmud and his boys to relax – Waugh has not forgotten Bangladesh. “The India series is still a long way off,” Waugh said, “and I am focussing on Bangladesh at the moment.” One can imagine him rubbing his hands in glee as he says this.For all the brutality Waugh inflicts on the cricket field, though, at heart he remains a softie. His support – monetary and otherwise – for Udayan has earned him immense respect in India. Waugh does not stop at charitable donations – the girls’ wing at Udayan was funded by him – but visits the home regularly. He explained his commitment thus: “Udayan is my pursuit for life. It is not something you start and give up. I am committed to continued support to Udayan.”We are soon going to start another school for 200 needy children,” Waugh added. He admitted that despite being a celebrity, raising funds was a difficult matter, and said that “it would be good to get some funding from businesses in Australia and India”.Waugh had recently announced his plans to make a film based on Udayan, which has already been scripted, though, as of now, there is no director or producer. Waugh did not clarify rumours as to whether he would act in the film, but merely said, pithily, “I am a cricketer”.Until next year, when Australia come to India, he certainly is.
The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), today announced a 14-member squad for next year’s International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Under-19 World Cup which will be held in New Zealand.The Under-19 World Cup, which will be held in January, 2002 will feature some 16 teams, and see the West Indies drawn in Zone D. Other teams in Zone D are Australia, Kenya and Scotland.The West Indies team will leave on January 10 for New Zealand, in time for the opening ceremony which takes place on January 14 in Christ Church.While in New Zealand, the West Indies will play two practice matches versus local opposition. The West Indies’ first match will be against Scotland on January 21. Their remaining preliminary matches against Australia and Kenya will be played on January 23 and 24 respectively. The ICC Under-19 World Cup will played from January 12 to February 10, 2002.The full team is:Narsingh Deonarine and Ron Matthews – GUYANA Ryan Nurse and Alcindo Holder – BARBADOS Donovan Pagon and Lorenzo Ingram – JAMAICA Dwayne Bravo, Llendl Simmons and Ravi Rampaul – TRINIDAD & TOBAGO Gareth Matthew (St. Kitts), Tonito Willett (Nevis) andGavin Tonge (Antigua) – LEEWARD ISLANDS Shane Shillingford (Dominica) and Darren Sammy (St. Lucia) – WINDWARD ISLANDS Reserves:Danza Hyatt and St. Clair Searchwell – JAMAICA Denzil James – TRINIDAD & TOBAGO Derick Bishop and Marlon Clark – BARBADOS Jeremiah Harris – GUYANA Team Management:Courtnay Daley – Manager – JAMAICA Gus Logie – Coach – TRINIDAD & TOBAGO David Cumberbatch – Physiotherapist – TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Former West Indies captain Richie Richardson will join the ICC’s elite panel of match referees as a replacement for the retiring Roshan Mahanama.However, Richardson will not take up his new position until early next year, when he completes his current tenure as manager of the West Indies team. Mahanama last week announced his intention to step down from the ICC’s elite panel at the end of the year after more than a decade in the role.The appointment means Richardson will become the first West Indian to serve as a match referee in Tests since Clive Lloyd, who retired in 2007. He also follows fellow West Indians Jackie Hendriks, Cammie Smith, Everton Weekes and Clyde Walcott, who all served as match referees in the past.”I am excited and honoured to have been selected for one of the most important jobs in cricket,” Richardson said. “Having been on either side of the fence, first as a player and then as an administrator, I think I have the experience and insight to help me contribute positively alongside some of the finest and most experienced match officials.”Richardson played 86 Tests from 1983 to 1995, as well as 224 one-day internationals. He was appointed team manager of West Indies in January 2011 and will continue to serve in the role until the end of the Test tour of Australia, which concludes with the Sydney Test from January 3 to 7 next year.”Until the end of the Australia tour, I will remain fully committed and focused on my current assignment as the West Indies cricket team manager and I would like to thank the West Indies Cricket Board for its support over years as well as the encouragement it provided to me in taking up this new role,” he said.The ICC’s elite panel of match referees is made up of seven former cricketers who officiate in Test matches, and Richardson will join Ranjan Madugalle, Chris Broad, David Boon, Andy Pycroft, Javagal Srinath and Jeff Crowe. The ICC’s general manager of cricket, Geoff Allardice, said Richardson would be a valuable addition to the panel.”Richie is one of the greats of the game, who is admired for not only his accomplishments as a batsman but also the way he captained the West Indies when he embodied traits such as integrity, leadership and sportsmanship in his dealings both on and off the field,” Allardice said.”He is very familiar with the demands of international cricket through his experiences as a player, captain and now team manager, and he will bring a fresh perspective to the role. On behalf of the ICC, I congratulate Richie on his appointment and look forward to working with him. We have no doubt that he will make a strong and important contribution to ensuring the game continues to be played in the right spirit.”
We’ve all seen Fat Sam patrolling the touchline, Madonna live-in-concert mic tucked inside his lug‘ole, looking every inch the modern man we all know him to be. The most self-confident man in Britain is known to be just one of a growing army of managers to enlist the help of ProZone – a means by which to attain statistical analysis on everything from the amount a player has run in a match to his use of the ball when in possession to name but two minute points. But in this modern age of ours, can stats prove everything in football, or is there still room for differing perspectives and the use of the naked eye to dissect the beautiful game?
The truth lies somewhere in between. Stats are great. On a personal level, I’m a huge believer in them. They’re crucial in helping to disprove some of football’s accepted truths – such as Owen Coyle’s Bolton side play passing football, Man Utd’s defence is watertight and that Jermain Defoe is anything other than a deeply average striker. I’ll beat these drums until my last dying breath, and all with the help of statistical information.
However, stats can also be deeply misleading. They can distort an argument because for without applied in the ‘right’ context, they can change turn a point completely on it’s head. They are merely a tool to be used to disprove theories and assists in arguments for the casual armchair pundit.
Just the other day after Frank Lampard’s wonderful display against Bolton in their 5-1 drubbing of Coyle’s side at Stamford Bridge, which included a Lampard hat-trick, did I see such an instance of deeply misleading and reprehensible statitude.
It was over on Twitter (you can catch me at JamesMcManus1 if you’re asking @shameless plug #hangsheadinshame) where a fellow Tweeter, Twitterer or Twatter depending on your preference, in a state of euphoria confidently declared: “Lampard now has 175 league goals in 350 games for Chelsea. Brilliant.”
Now, I know he’s been a prodigiously prolific goalscorer in the Premier League for nearly a decade now, but that still seemed a bit off to me. A quick glance at Wikipedia then proceeded to tell me that Lampard had indeed played 350 Premier League games for Chelsea, but that the 175 goals came across all competitions, for he had only a measly, hardly worth talking about 119 league goals for the club. In 518 career games for the West London side he had indeed scored 175 goals, a fine record, but did it really need the falsities to make it stand out as particularly impressive?
There is of course still room for the naked eye. Otherwise coaches all over the land may as well just pack up and go on home. We shall indeed surrender to the machines just over a decade after the Terminator films correctly prophesised. But instead of Skynet, it shall be the almighty ProZone’s altar that we bow down to in hushed and humbled prayer.
OptaSports provide the shining light by which others should look to follow. They offer up little nuggets of statistical gold without any inherent bias towards this club or that club as is often the calling card of those that cry out ‘lazy journalism‘ at the drop of a hat (yes, I am fully aware of what I‘ve left myself open to now).
Stats aren’t everything in football, they’re merely there to apply the context amidst all the fawning and bias that takes place in the media today. You can’t keep a good stat down, no matter how hard you try. It may not be sexy, it may not be what gets readers reaching for the paper in the morning, but context is everything.
You can follow me on Twitter @JamesMcManus1
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
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