All posts by h716a5.icu

Bruno Fernandes has had his credentials as Manchester United captain questioned by former Red Devils' midfielder Paul Ince.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Ince questions Fernandes' suitability as captain'It's all about him'Keane criticised Portuguese for Rashford gestureWHAT HAPPENED?

Ince became the latest former United skipper to criticise Fernandes antics, after Roy Keane slammed the Portuguese playmaker following his decision to allow Marcus Rashford to take a penalty in Sunday's 3-0 win at Everton.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT INCE SAID

Ince, who won two Premier League titles with United and wore the captain's armband on a number of occasions, told: "I don't know what I see in Fernandes. Is he leader by the way he plays? At the moment he's not playing to the best of his ability. Yes, he scored the winner against Fulham. But as far as being a leader, you do it by organisation.

"I, as a captain, always felt, my main thing was if I wasn't playing well, make sure the people around you are playing well because it shows how bad you're playing. When you look at Fernandes, sometimes it's just about him. When he's not playing well, you can see it in his body language. You can see him arguing with the ref."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Fernandes became United's captain in all but name last season after Harry Maguire fell out of favour with Erik ten Hag and was officially named skipper at the start of this campaign. However, he has been repeatedly criticised for his attitude when things go against United, such as in their 7-0 hammering by Liverpool last season. He was also questioned on several occasions as United made a dismal start to the current campaign, losing nine of their opening 19 games.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR BRUNO FERNANDES?

United will need Fernandes to step up and silence his critics when they face Galatasaray in a make-or-break Champions League clash on Wednesday in Istanbul. Ten Hag's side will then turn their attention to a huge clash with Newcastle in the Premier League on December 2.

The BCCI working committee has decided to seek fresh legal advice on Chennai Super Kings’ low valuation in an attempt to demerge the franchise from India Cements Ltd

Amol Karhadkar26-Apr-20155:46

‘CSK valuation didn’t add up’ – Sports law expert Sekhri

The BCCI working committee has decided to seek fresh legal advice on Chennai Super Kings’ low valuation in an attempt to demerge the franchise from India Cements Limited. The committee also authorised board president Jagmohan Dalmiya and secretary Anurag Thakur to decide the fate of Champions League Twenty20.”The committee decided to seek a fresh legal opinion on the demerger and transfer of shares of CSK for further action,” Thakur stated in a brief media release after the first working committee meeting of the new structure, which lasted almost four hours.It is understood that former BCCI president Shashank Manohar and Tamil Nadu Cricket Association vice-president PS Raman were involved in a heated exchange over Super Kings’ valuation. Manohar apparently pointed out that it was absurd of the Super Kings management to put base value of the proposed trust to administer the franchise as Rs 5 lakh (approx. $8000).The Baroda twist

Baroda Cricket Association’s Samarjit Gaekwad was barred from attending the working committee meeting, while vice-president Rakesh Parikh was allowed to be the official BCA representative. The decision was in contrast to the AGM, where Gaekwad was chosen to be the legitimate BCA representative.
The BCA has seen lots of infighting over the last year. Since Gaekwad was an N Srinivasan loyalist, AGM chairman Shivlal Yadav had ruled in favour of Gaekwad over Parikh and it made a huge impact on the outcome of the elections.
On Sunday, however, the working committee voted in favour of Parikh who presented a BCA managing committee resolution to back his claim.

Manohar is also understood to have pointed out that by approving the proposal on February 27, the previous governing council headed by Ranjib Biswal did not primarily act in the board’s interest. Since any change in control of a franchise results in a payment of 5% of the additional value, the BCCI accepted an application of Rs 25,000 as transfer fee for a franchise that spends at least Rs 120 crore (approximately $18.75 million) every season.Raman retorted by saying they had adhered to all the norms set by the BCCI and if the board backtracks on its approval, the Super Kings management may seek legal recourse.Considering the legal complexity of the issue, the house then absolved all the previous governing council members of any wrongdoing or ulterior motive to dupe the board and decided to seek legal recourse. The matter will now be forwarded to the BCCI’s legal consultants, Amarchand & Mangaldas, who will revert to Dalmiya and Thakur with their suggestions.The CLT20 discussion revolved largely around whether the tournament has become redundant for most of the stakeholders, especially the BCCI. When it was informed to the floor of the house that the broadcaster, Star India, is not to keen to continue its association, Dalmiya and Thakur were then authorised to have a last round of discussion with the broadcaster and take the final call over the future of the tournament.The working committee also accepted Thakur’s proposal to set up a cricket advisory committee that will have a major say in all cricket affairs. “The Working Committee of the BCCI authorised the President Mr Jagmohan Dalmiya to constitute a cricket advisory committee comprising of prominent cricketers who will share their recommendations on the overall conduct and development of the game,” the BCCI media release said.One of the first tasks of the new committee will be to initiate the procedure to appoint India’s support staff ahead of its next international assignment in June in consultation with Dalmiya and Thakur.The working committee also ratified Neeraj Kumar and Madhusudan Sharma’s appointment as consultants to the BCCI Anti-Corruption & Security Unit, and recommended Rohit Sharma for the Arjuna Award, one of the most prestigious honours for sportspersons instituted by the Government of India.

Sachin Tendulkar will retire from Test cricket after playing his 200th Test, which he is scheduled to play during the home series against West Indies in November

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Oct-2013Sachin Tendulkar will bring an end to his glittering 24-year international career after he plays his 200th Test, which is scheduled to be during the home series against West Indies in November. Tendulkar announced his decision on Wednesday afternoon, via a BCCI statement, like he had done when he retired from ODIs in December 2012.”All my life, I have had a dream of playing cricket for India. I have been living this dream every day for the last 24 years,” Tendulkar said in a statement. “It’s hard for me to imagine a life without playing cricket because it’s all I have ever done since I was 11 years old. It’s been a huge honour to have represented my country and played all over the world. I look forward to playing my 200th Test match on home soil, as I call it a day.”I thank the BCCI for everything over the years and for permitting me to move on when my heart feels it’s time. I thank my family for their patience and understanding. Most of all, I thank my fans and well-wishers who through their prayers and wishes have given me the strength to go out and perform at my best.”Tendulkar’s retirement had been the matter of much speculation. He had wound down his career in phases, announcing his retirement from ODIs in late December 2012, and with the BCCI shoehorning a home series against West Indies before the controversy-hit tour to South Africa, it had seemed an apt moment for a home farewell. The venues for Tendulkar’s last two Tests have not yet been announced.N Srinivasan, the BCCI president, said in a tribute that it was hard to imagine an India team without Tendulkar. “I have been an ardent follower and admirer of Sachin Tendulkar from the days he came to play Buchi Babu in Chennai. He is without doubt the greatest cricketer India has produced. In fact one should really say he ranks among the top of all-time great sports persons in the world. No one has served Indian cricket as Sachin has. He has truly been an ambassador for India and Indian Cricket. He has been an inspiration for generations of sportsmen not just cricketers. We respect his decision to retire although many of us can’t imagine an Indian team without Sachin.”The 200th Test will be the last of numerous milestones in Tendulkar’s career. No cricketer has played so many. He also owns the records for most runs and centuries in both Test and one-day cricket.Tendulkar began his international career in November 1989, and was the third youngest Test cricketer at the time. He established himself quickly in the middle order and after the early 1990s, he has remained the first name on India’s team-sheet for the majority of his career.

Elise Lombard, the chief executive of South Africa’s Titans franchise, died on Thursday after a sudden heart attack

Firdose Moonda09-Aug-2012Elise Lombard, the chief executive of South Africa’s Titans franchise, died on Thursday after a sudden heart attack. Lombard was the only female chief executive in the country’s cricket administration and had been in charge of the Northerns Cricket Union, which amalgamated with Easterns to form the franchise in 2004, for 30 years.During her time at the helm, Lombard was involved with the development of SuperSport Park in Centurion into a Test venue and presided over the most successful franchise in South African domestic cricket. Titans have won more trophies than any other franchise and have qualified for the upcoming Champions League T20, which will be hosted in South Africa. Lombard was involved with the organisation of that event.”This has come as a huge blow to all of us and one that will be felt by the entire CSA family throughout the country,” Jacques Faul, the Cricket South Africa acting CEO, said. “During her time in office she turned the Easterns-Titans franchise into one of the powerhouses in the land and she contributed enormously to the financial well-being of the game.”Lombard was the guest speaker at CSA’s ladies’ function on Wednesday, an event held to commemorate National Women’s Day on August 9, the day she died.Tributes poured in from around the cricketing world, including from some of the players she first administered. Steve Elworthy, now director of marketing and communication at the ECB, posted on Twitter. “Terrible news, just heard Elise Lombard, Titans CEO while I played 14 yrs, passed away, condolences to the family – very sad news”.Pat Symcox, the former South Africa offspinner, also remembered Lombard as signing his first bonus – the equivalent of just over US$0.50 in today’s terms. “RIP Elise Lombard! what a lady since my debut for Northerns in 1983!Signed my first bonus cheque that season… R4.63!Great loss to SA cricket.”Current players also sent their messages of condolence such as Faf du Plessis: “So sad 2 hear about titans ceo elise lombard’s death. was an amazing woman who did so much for 4 the titans and always with a smile on her face.”

The offspinner Nathan Lyon is expected to miss at least the next two Sheffield Shield matches for South Australia due to a thigh injury

Brydon Coverdale30-Jan-2012The offspinner Nathan Lyon is expected to miss at least the next two Sheffield Shield matches for South Australia due to a thigh injury. Lyon carried the problem through the Test series against India and he was still able to perform well enough to take four wickets in the final innings in Adelaide, but Cricket Australia’s medical staff want him to rest and allow the injury to heal.”Nathan Lyon has been carrying a right thigh muscle strain for the majority of the Test series against India,” Australia’s physio Alex Kountouris said. “This injury has gradually become worse throughout the course of the series and has come to a point where he needs a break to allow it to heal. He will undergo a rehabilitation program and we anticipate his return to cricket in the next two to three weeks.”Lyon took seven wickets – five of which came in the last Test – at an average of 41.57 against India and he is expected to play an important role in April’s Test tour of the Caribbean, where the wickets are often slow. The injury meant he was unavailable for selection in Australia’s one-day squad, but he was unlikely to be chosen anyway, with Xavier Doherty the preferred spinner in the short format.He was also ruled out of Friday’s Prime Minister’s XI match against Sri Lanka in Canberra, where he was replaced by the Queensland legspinner Cameron Boyce. He would have missed the Redbacks next Shield match due to the PM’s XI contest, but is now likely to miss the following Shield match as well, against Victoria starting on February 13.

Steve Magoffin proved the match-winner for Sussex in a gripping climax to their match against Durham

21-Jul-2012
ScorecardSteve Magoffin proved the match-winner for Sussex in a gripping climax to their match against Durham at Arundel. The Australian fast bowler took 6 for 22 as Durham were dismissed for 93 in their second innings, then scored 23 not out to see his side to a two-wicket win.Needing 94, Sussex looked doomed when Magoffin went to the crease at 50 for 7, but Kirk Wernars helped him put on 23 then he and James Anyon knocked off the remaining runs.Durham were almost entirely dependent on their two swing and seam bowlers, Callum Thorp and Chris Rushworth, who had taken four wickets each in the first innings. They shared seven second time around, while home captain Mike Yardy was run out, but once they began to tire the balance tipped back in Sussex’s favour.With 11 runs needed Paul Collingwood gambled by bringing on Ben Stokes in place of Rushworth, who had bowled 15 overs. But eight runs came off the over and Anyon was able to pick off the three remaining runs against Thorp, who finished with 4 for 38 in 17 overs.Sussex’s third win of the season kept them in the top half of the table while defeat left Durham even further adrift at the bottom, still looking for their first win.After the sides finished level on 231 in the first innings, Durham began the day on 80 for 7 and were all out for 93. Collingwood failed to add to his 29, falling in the first over to Kirk Wernars when he became one of the game’s 15 lbw victims. Magoffin did the rest, pinning Thorp lbw before taking out Mitch Claydon’s middle stump.Rushworth had Luke Wells lbw with the sixth ball of the Sussex innings then Joe Gatting was well caught by Scott Borthwick at second slip off Thorp, who also bowled Chris Nash. It became 27 for 4 when Yardy pushed the ball to midwicket and set off for a risky run, which Murray Goodwin declined.When Rushworth brought one sharply back to rock Luke Wright’s off stump Durham were favourites. After lunch Ben Brown was adjudged lbw when well forward to Rushworth and Goodwin nicked a ball on to his pad and was caught at slip.Phil Mustard, standing up to Thorp, took a brilliant leg-side catch to end Wernars’ resistance, but by that time Magoffin had stolen the initiative by running Thorp to the vacant third man boundary then cutting him for four. Those two shots eased the pressure and Collingwood’s overnight prediction that Durham would need a lead of 120 proved accurate.

Robin Peterson borrowed shots from his namesake, Kevin Pietersen, as he played a cameo punctuated with switch hits on his IPL debut to snatch victory for the Mumbai Indians

The Report by Firdose Moonda25-Apr-2012
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details Rohit Sharma gave Mumbai hope with 50 off 30 balls•AFPRobin Peterson borrowed shots from his namesake, Kevin Pietersen, as he played a cameo punctuated with switch hits on his IPL debut to snatch victory for the Mumbai Indians. Peterson scored 15 runs off four balls in the penultimate over and Ambati Rayudu smacked two sixes to cost Kings XI 27 runs. The pair took Mumbai from a position where victory seemed unlikely, with 32 runs needed of 12 balls, to where it became an obvious conclusion with only five runs to get in the last over.After allowing Kings XI Punjab to post their highest total in IPL 2012 with a bowling effort that was dominated by deliveries that were too short, Mumbai were favourites to win when Rohit Sharma was at the crease, marching to his half-century. Parvinder Awana swung the pendulum back towards Kings XI with a double strike in his final over – the 18th – in which he removed both Sharma and Harbhajan Singh. Peterson and Rayudu had the final say though, as they ravaged the 19th over and prevented Kings XI from completing the home and away double against Mumbai this season.In an innings which mirrored the Kings XI’s, Mumbai started solidly, were held up in the middle and blazed their way through to the end. Sachin Tendulkar and James Franklin, who was moved to open the batting in the previous match and stayed there, built a sturdy foundation. Tendulkar started by sweeping Bhargav Bhatt to long-leg, allowing his touches of finesse to shine through. Franklin clipped Praveen Kumar through midwicket and drove Parvinder Awana over the covers and the pair put on a fuss-free fifty-two run stand.Azhar Mahmood caused some jitters in the Mumbai camp when he had Franklin caught behind off a beautiful delivery that nipped away from him. In his next over, Mahmood accounted for Tendulkar, who got a thin inside edge through to Nitin Saini. Piyush Chawla had Dinesh Karthik caught at short fine leg and Mumbai were no longer in command. It set the stage for Rohit, who had not performed to expectation so far, to step up and he did. He announced his intent by smashing Chawla for a flat six over long-off and helped himself to boundaries off full tosses offered by both Awana and Praveen when they missed their lines.Rohit was guiding Mumbai to victory when he slashed the ball to Mahmood at backward point and the advantage returned to Kings XI. Harbhajan made little contribution as he top-edged without moving his feet to be caught at long-off and Mumbai seemed to need a little miracle to dig themselves out of the hole Awana created.Peterson started the seemingly impossible, switch hitting Chawla twice for four and slog sweeping him for six before Rayudu launched the legspinner for back to back sixes. Mahmood made it tough for Mumbai to score the last five but they did so with a ball to spare to claim a memorable win.Kings XI would have thought they had enough runs at the halfway stage, having scored 88 runs off the last seven overs of their innings. David Hussey and David Miller starred in the last third of the Kings XI innings to give them a competitive total on a slow surface with a fourth-wicket stand that mixed defiance with aggression.Saini and Mandeep Singh built a sturdy foundation for Kings XI with an opening stand of 35 but Kings XI stagnated when Mandeep was dismissed. They scored just 12 runs in four overs after Mandeep returned to the dug out and crawled to the 10-over mark at 56 for 2. In a surprise move, Harbhajan brought Franklin on to bowl and he slowed Kings XI up further. He bowled four good balls upfront, which yielded only four runs, before Shaun Marsh attempted to slice a ball over the off-side but top-edged it to Harbhajan at cover, who took a swirling catch.Miller was the perfect for partner for Hussey and showed aggression from the get-go, when he pulled the second ball he faced, a short one from RP, through midwicket. Having seen short balls get punished, Kieron Pollard offered Hussey two more and was clubbed over midwicket and upper cut over third man.Munaf Patel searched for yorkers but missed his length and dished out full tosses. Miller swiped him over long-on and Hussey did the same, to bring up a well-earned half-century. Clint McKay copied Munaf and got the yorker right on occasion. Still, he did not survive the late assault from Hussey, who steered him third man and made room to hit him over his head for six. Munaf finished the innings having conceded back to back sixes off Miller, who ended unbeaten on 34 off 17 balls.

Misbah-ul-Haq has credited his bowlers and top-order batsmen for the special roles they played in defending their proud history of being unbeaten in the UAE since they adopted the emirate as home terrirtory

Firdose Moonda in Abu Dhabi17-Oct-2013The most important thing about thriving in the desert is the ability to adapt to its harshness. Plants store water, animals spend most of the day preserving energy in the shade and the Pakistan cricket team take wickets on tracks where most attacks toil without reward.Misbah-ul-Haq credited his attack with dealing a decisive blow to South Africa and paving the way to allow Pakistan to break the visitors 15-match unbeaten streak. “The way our bowlers bowled in the first innings on a flat track, they gave us a good sniff by getting South Africa out for under 250,” he said. Mohammad Irfan extracted bounce, Junaid Khan found movement and Saeed Ajmal and Zulfiqur Babar troubled South Africa with turn to ensure Pakistan only needed four bowlers to take 20 wickets.In comparison, South Africa used seven bowlers and needed 45 and a half more overs to bowl Pakistan out in their first innings. On a surface that offered little assistance to either seam or spin, Pakistan relied on guile to do the job. Misbah said that is something learned through experience and time. “With Pakistan, it’s a mental game. We always do well here so we have the confidence and the belief that we can do well.”Pakistan have not lost a Test since making the UAE their adopted home in 2010 and have bowled their opposition out in 15 of 18 innings they’ve taken to the field in. Their spinners are particularly threatening as England, and now South Africa have discovered. Misbah believes defeating another No.1 team in the world would give the team even more confidence.”Conditions played an important role,” he said. “When you are playing at a venue where you’ve performed well as a team, its a big plus. You really feel comfortable going in search of a win. I always believed this team has the quality to produce this type of cricket. If we can beat the No.1 side in the world, we can do it against any side in the world.”Pakistan’s bowling performance was backed up by batsmen who showed more character than they have in the past, particularly the top two. Misbah ensured they shared the credit for the victory. “That really gave us an advantage. The way they started and the way they were attacking, that made a difference,” he said. “By scoring at almost four runs an over they gave us that momentum to press on.”Misbah also thought Khurram Manzoor and Shan Masood did the important job of softening up the South African bowlers and making them question their own plans “When you score only 249 on a flat track. different things go through your mind and bowlers try different things. They want to take quick wickets and go for runs.”He did not have much to say about his own hundred, the fourth of his career, and the first in over two years. When nudged, Misbah admitted it was an innings he will cherish. “It is the most precious thing for a batsman to achieve. Such a satisfaction you cant have doing anything [else]. I really enjoyed that. And we won the game so that makes it something special to remember.”If being home has a feeling, that is what Misbah, more than anyone else would have experienced. The supporters cheered his every move and there were plenty of them in the ground. Given that it was played over the Eid holiday, crowds were larger than predicted with thousands in on every day. Despite the heat, humidity and distance of the ground from the city centre, they filled the grandstand and the grass embankments, brought their drums and their flags and cheered on their team.”That was wonderful, especially to see that after such a long time,” Misbah said. “Usually, you only have this support in one-dayers so it was nice to have it in a Test. I can tell you, it really helped the team. It kept the players motivated. I hope people come to the next game as well.”Misbah has promised the Dubai-based fans they will not be in for a draw because Pakistan are not simply. going to try and preserve their lead. “We have just given clear instructions to the groundsman that we want results. We want to exploit our home advantage,” Misbah said. “We are not going to think negative because whenever there are negative thoughts in your mind, you don’t get results. Whether we win or lose, we want results.”

Left-arm fast bowler Sohail Tanvir has been called up to the Pakistan one-day squad as cover for Mohammed Irfan and Umar Gul

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Mar-2013Left-arm fast bowler Sohail Tanvir has been called up to the Pakistan one-day squad as cover for Mohammed Irfan and Umar Gul. Tanvir, who is already in South Africa playing for the Lions franchise in the domestic Twenty20 competition, will have to juggle his participation in that event with any possible recall to the Pakistan squad.Tanvir met with the Pakistan management during the third ODI at the Wanderers on Sunday. Misbah-ul-Haq said the team had been in discussions with Tanvir and were considering using him as back-up at the post match press conference.The Lions coach Geoffrey Toyana confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that Tanvir had been in touch with Pakistan but said he will turn out for the franchise on March 19 in Centurion, where they play the Titans. Should the Lions win that match, they will have taken a massive step towards qualifying for the final.Tanvir will then fly to Durban where Pakistan play the fourth ODI on March 21. If the Lions need Tanvir, he will have to go straight to East London to play for the them again on March 22. However if he is not needed, the Lions will rest him and he can continue to be part of the Pakistan camp until the final one-day match in Benoni on Sunday, before returning to the Lions for the knockout stages.Irfan, the seven-foot tall bowler, is struggling with a stomach bug. He had to leave the field during the Wanderers match and was treated off field. He also picked up a hamstring strain on Friday night in Centurion although Misbah clarified that “there is nothing wrong with his hamstring.” Irfan returned to bat later in the match. Gul, who has been out of form, was left out of the third match with a knee injury.Tanvir has played an important part in the Lions campaign. He is the joint second-leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 10 scalps at 16.40.

A round-up of the fifth round of Ranji Trophy’s Group A matches on December 8, 2012

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Dec-2012
Scorecard
In the previous match at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot, Ravindra Jadeja alone had scored 331 but though he top scored again, run-making wasn’t as easy and Saurashtra were bowled out for 209. Much of the damage was done by left-arm spinner Iresh Saxena, whose five-for helped Bengal take the final six wickets for 35 runs. The slide was hastened by the dismissal of Jadeja, who made 70 to take his season’s tally past 700, and there were three ducks in the lower order. Saxena finished with impressive figures of 12.3-5-17-5. Saurashtra had looked set for a larger total after the openers played out more than two hours to put on 64, but they lost wickets in bunches to finish on a small score.
Scorecard
Two of Rajasthan’s talented young batsmen, Robin Bist and Ashok Menaria, continued to struggle to find form, falling cheaply on a day when Gujarat kept the run-rate firmly in check. Bist has only one half-century in 10 innings since his sparkling performance at the Duleep Trophy, while Menaria hasn’t hit a fifty in nine Ranji innings. Forties from debutant opener Saurabh Chouhan and the vastly experienced Hrishikesh Kanitkar lifted Rajasthan, and Rashmi Parida also chipped in with 36.The most successful of the Gujarat bowlers was left-arm-spinner Rakesh Dhurv, who ended with figures of 36-19-47-3.
Scorecard
Madhya Pradesh made patient progress against Railways in Bhubaneshwar, with Rameez Khan’s 82 guiding them to 212 for 5. None of MP’s top four was in any rush after Railways chose to field, with all of them striking at less than 40. Each of the top-order batsmen got set, but only Rameez went on to reach a half-century. Opener Zafar Ali batted for almost an hour and a half before being caught-behind, and his partner Naman Ojha followed suit half an hour later. Rameez anchored the innings, and the arrival of Udit Birla and Jalaj Saxena provided some urgency towards the end of the day.