Gerald Majola, the chief executive of Cricket South Africa, has emphasised the board needs to be reasonable while trying to adhere to its transformation policy.”Our transformation policy has not changed. It’s about targets, we aspire to reach certain targets,” Majola told . “But we also believe we need to be reasonable and look at what we have.”We understand that there are specialist positions in cricket and if we need four or five black players and they are mostly bowlers, then we will have issues of balance within the team,” he said. “That is why it is a target.”The selection of South Africa’s national sides have been in the headlines of late, with the latest episode seeing Charl Langeveldt opt out of the tour to India, as he was upset by the controversy surrounding his selection ahead of Andre Nel, a decision many felt was taken by the selectors to fulfil the requirements of the transformation policy, which stipulates that a 15-man touring squad must have at least seven players of colour.Prior to that, the selection of South Africa’s national team for the recent tour of Bangladesh caused a public spat between coach Mickey Arthur and CSA president Norman Arendse, who was unhappy the 14-man squad didn’t have enough players of colour. However, it’s believed the team originally selected was finally sent for the tour.Majola said that all selection matters, including the one-off decision of Monde Zondeki replacing Langeveldt, had to go through the CSA president. “The process is that the selectors sit down and choose a team and then take it to the president. Even if they are choosing just one player, they must always go back to the president.”He has a right of veto, in terms of ensuring that CSA’s policies are met.”Majola, though, admitted the recent incidents had overshadowed the performance of the team. “I think all this drama is a concern to all cricket lovers, cricket is making headlines for reasons other than the magnificent performance of the team.”It must be very frustrating for the players when things like 400 partnerships are overshadowed by players withdrawing from teams because of other issues. That’s not where we want to be.”
Ravi Shastri the opening batsman was obdurate – he didn’t thrill with his art and yet contributed to the team in a manner nobody else in his time could. On the eve of India’s tour of Bangladesh, in the absence of injured captain Rahul Dravid at the customary departing conference, Shastri the cricketing manager recreated some of the old batting days.Shastri didn’t provide the media with any entertainment, letting pass every controversial question, much like the deliveries outside his off stump. “That’s not my business,” he said when asked whether the muddle over the contracts was affecting the players’ mindset. “I can assure one thing – once they go to Bangladesh, cricket will be on the top of their minds.”He also provided a straight, broad, dead bat to the tricky ones. There’s no practice match in Bangladesh before they play their first ODI on May 10 – a question of improper scheduling perhaps? “We know that; so we’ll go there and get ready for the game.” Asked to speak on the absence of Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly from the one-day side, Shastri said, “I have got the team that has been given to me, and we will go there and play cricket.” Shastri has a term of only one series and he is incidentally also on the committee to select the new coach. “Cricket, camp, please” – pat came the dismissal as he moved out of the way of a camera flash, providing a light moment. “I’ll let that go.”And when it came to questions regarding cricket and the team, he sounded upbeat, even bordering on being gung-ho, much like his six sixes in an over in a Ranji game. “If you guys have any doubts over Tendulkar or for that matter [Virender] Sehwag, you have got another one coming,” Shastri said. “You will be in for a surprise. It might not come immediately… but give them some time and you will see what they are capable of… They [Tendulkar, Ganguly, and Sehwag] are not finished yet by any means.”In the same tone, he dismissed any talks of factionalism in the team. In fact, he himself brought up the topic. “What do you think? You guys have been looking at the guys from the outside. Did the guys look happy? Did you see any groups?” he asked the journalists. “I have seen a lot of bull honey being written and said over the last few days. You guys are seeing something different.”The camaraderie out there is unbelievable. Even when I took this job, I was made to read and believe [otherwise], but it took me an hour to find out what these guys are made up of. They are a brilliant bunch and their privacy should be respected.”Shastri was also positive that Dravid was recovering well from the nose injury he had sustained at the nets yesterday, and should be able to play the first match at Mirpur on May 10. “He [Dravid] is a tough cookie. I don’t have to tell you that. He has hung around long enough to be rest assured about. I am sure he would be wanting to take guard there first ball.” The Indian team do not have a designated vice-captain on the tour. Would there be a leadership problem if Dravid sustains an injury that is more serious than this one? “We will relate to the ifs when the ifs arrive. Don’t worry; there will be no problems. We know who should do the job and who should not do the job.”The focus after the World Cup debacle has been to live in the present and “enjoy” the game. ” I didn’t like the way they played over the last six months,” said Shastri, “it was as if they were doing a desk job sitting behind a computer from nine to five rather than enjoying what they do. It is a sport, which is played in the open. If they enjoy it you guys will also enjoy it.”In between ducking a few and hooking a few, Shastri sounded a warning to Bangladesh. “Bangladesh is a challenge. After the World Cup it is not only the people of India who are disappointed. The players are more disappointed than anybody else. Make no mistake about that. They will want to prove a point.”The wounded ones reach the land of the Tigers tomorrow.
Glenn McGrath has warned those writing him off ahead of this years Ashes and aims to reclaim a spot among the top three ranks in the Australian team.McGrath opted out of Australia’s tours to South Africa and Bangladesh so that he could stay with his wife Jane, who is battling cancer. “Whenever people have written me off, I have always proved them wrong,” McGrath told . “People can say what they want but all it means is I’ll be proving them wrong again.”I can’t see why some people are singling me out. I’ve been working on a number of things I believe will make me an even better bowler come the start of the Ashes. I don’t say things just for the effect. I say things because I believe them. I’m the best person to judge how I’m going and I’m back in training and have never felt better.”I’m really in the same position as every other player because the Ashes will be our first series after a long break. If anything, I’m ahead of some of the other guys because they are now resting. I’ve been back working hard for a couple of months and feel very fresh. Binger [Brett Lee] and Huss [Michael Hussey] have had great years, so I expect to slide down the rankings. One of my goals is to make it back into the top three.”McGrath felt that the Champions Trophy would be good preparation for the Ashes. “We have the ICC Champions Trophy and I can’t think of a better way to get back into the game than through one-day cricket. In some respects, it will be harder for the batsmen going into the Ashes with just some one-day cricket under their belts.”
Shane Warne has been given permission to sit out the rest of Hampshire’s Twenty20 group matches, to allow him to rest ahead of the Ashes series. The request came from Cricket Australia and Rod Bransgrove, the Hampshire chairman, granted Warne a two-week break.Bransgrove told the Press Association: “Cricket Australia have asked before for him to take a break but he choose not to. He has bowled more than we expected him to. I’m happy for him to take a break. I have no problem with it at all.”Warne has been suffered with a slight problem to his spinning finger, which was picked up during the Championship game against Kent at Canterbury in May. However, Warne will still be available for Hampshire’s next Championship game, against Middlesex at Southgate, starting on July 8. This will be his last match for the county before the Ashes, but he will return in mid-September, after the final Test.Warne has bowled 299.4 overs in eight Championship matches this season, taking 37 wickets at 22.75 apiece. He is aiming to take his 600th Test wicket during the Ashes series and currently stands on 583.
Hampshire appear to be in with a very good chance of winning their opening Frizzell Championship Division Two match of the season against Durham, but still have a job to do. Chasing 109 to win they lost openers Brown and Kenway early in the second innings.Hampshire started the second day in suicidal mode, four of the last five wickets to fall in the morning were poor shots offered up to the gleeful bowlers. Mark Davies was the receipient of most of these to finish with career best figures of 6 for 53.Hampshire lost five wickets in the morning for just 26 runs. Michael Clarke who had entertained the crowd on the first day was out early adding just 2 runs to his overnight score.With a deficit of 97, Durham lost three wickets for just 19, and a two day finish was looking likely. However, skipper Jon Lewis and Nicky Peng put together a brave partnership of 111, before Warne picked up the first of his 5 wickets bowling the young Peng quite comprehensively. Tremlett and Mullally, and a long economical stint from Mascarenhas all contributed to the visitors downfall, but it was Warne who finally put paid to any resistance with 5 for 68.With just 5 overs remaining in the days play, and Hampshire set 109 for victory, 11 runs in the first over looked like a stroll. Bowlers Plunkett and Davies has other ideas dismissing the openers before the close.
Cricket fans can now purchase their tickets for the Cable & Wireless 2003 Cricket Series involving West Indies, Australia and Sri Lanka, and get a chance to win a brand new Suzuki Vitara XL7!This year, the West Indies Cricket Board and series sponsors, Cable & Wireless, are running the “” promotion.One fortunate patron from each venue hosting a match in the Cable & Wireless 2003 Cricket Series will have an opportunity to drive away with the Suzuki Vitara XL7 during the First Test against Sri Lanka in St. Lucia.Game pieces are available with the purchase of tickets for matches in the Cable & Wireless 2003 Cricket Series and entries close on Sunday, June 1.On Tuesday, March 18, all regional ticket offices will start selling tickets for the six Tests and 10 limited-overs internationals.So hurry, , and get your tickets now!
She’s been described as the female Brett Lee. As the world’s fastest bowler in women’s cricket Cathryn Fitzpatrick keeps getting asked the same question. How fast?
Fitzpatrick- bowling against England 2001 Photo CricInfo
So, how fast does the blonde-cropped Victorian bowl? “I don’t know!” she exclaims. “Nobody comes down with radars. It’s not like the guys when it’s flashed up on the screen.” When pressed she admits, “As a rough gauge 120km/hour would be close to the mark.”That’s 75 mph, and Fitzpatrick reckons they are “sometimes a bit quicker.” No wonder England captain Clare Connor looked aghast when beaten for pace and bowled through the gate when going well in the most recent Test between the Ashes enemies.What’s even more impressive is the movement and accuracy the postal worker creates. A Second Test opening spell of 12 overs, two for 12 against England suggests she has stamina too. She later polished off the tail, to record figures of 22.5 overs 5/31.When Fitzpatrick spoke to CricInfo after that performance at Headingley, she was unaware of her analysis, and not too happy at the way she bowled. “I didn’t feel comfortable initially. I was slipping a bit at first.” Sawdust sorted that to help produce her outstanding analysis. But it was not her best in Tests. That was a bag of 5/29 in the previous week’s innings victory at Shenley.Fitzpatrick has made just eight Test appearances, and now has 29 wickets at 22.17.”We don’t play a lot of Tests so it’s easy to keep up with statistics,” she says. One interesting fact is such has been Australia’s dominance when they do play Tests, Fitzpatrick has never been required to bat in a Test match.Indeed it is Australia’s first Test series since their 3-0 whitewash of England in 1998, when Fitzpatrick was top wicket taker with 13 at 31.76. In this series she already has the same number in just three innings at a cost of 7.15.In contrast, since making her debut against India in 1991, the right-armer has played 54 One-Day Internationals and has taken 76 wickets before coming to England this summer. This puts her third on the all-time list, following closely behind opening partner Charmaine Mason and New Zealand’s Catherine Campbell.While her aim for fast-bowling speed and well-balanced action is easily comparable with the wannabe 100mph man Lee, a better comparison in Australian sport would be Olympic gold-medallist Cathy Freeman.Freeman, despite “having a little bit higher profile than me,” also spearheads women’s representation in a male-dominated sport.The Aboriginal sprinter is sponsored by the Postal Service. Fitzpatrick works as a motorbike dispatch rider for them.Having achieved so much, Fitzpatrick, at 33, is still enjoying the game.”If I’m enjoying it I’ll keep playing,” she told CricInfo. “We’ve got a good blend of young and old. I don’t know how it would be if it was a very young side and I was the oldest,” she added.”I’ve never played in South Africa and I’d really love that,” she admitted. “It is coming up for the World Cup.” So, in January 2005, don’t be surprised to see the fastest woman in the world trying to win the trophy back for the Australians.
Glasgow Rangers were hit hard by their outgoings in the summer transfer window, as they lost a lot of attacking quality from their side ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Vaclav Cerny returned to Wolfsburg, before signing for Besiktas on a permanent deal, after his loan spell last term, whilst Hamza Igamane was sold to Lille for £10.4m.
Igamane delivered 12 goals in the Scottish Premiership, per Sofascore, whilst Cerny racked up 12 goals and four assists playing on the right flank for the Gers.
Centre-forward Cyriel Dessers was also sold to Panathinaikos, just a few weeks after playing against them for Rangers, and his absence has also been felt.
Why Cyriel Dessers was underrated at Rangers
Strikers who miss a lot of opportunities will naturally draw frustration from the stands because fans, obviously, want to see their team score. Missing big chances consistently will, therefore, not endear you to a fanbase.
Per Sofascore, Dessers missed a staggering 59 ‘big chances’ to score in his two full seasons at Ibrox. He was far too wasteful with the chances that came his way, which is why it was understandable that he was hardly a fan favourite, and understandable as to why they sold him in the summer.
However, the frustration borne out of those misses perhaps made him underrated, because the experienced frontman also scored 52 goals in 116 games for the Gers, per Transfermarkt, which is far from a horrendous return.
Whether you were a fan of his or not, there is no denying that Dessers was a constant threat because of his exceptional movement and positioning in the box that created so many chances.
Something that may make supporters look back and appreciate the Nigeria international even more is just how poor Youssef Chermiti has been for the Gers this season.
How Chermiti makes Dessers look amazing
The Scottish giants swooped to sign the Portugal U21 international from Everton for a fee of £8m in the summer transfer window, in an attempt to replace Dessers.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
On current evidence, former Rangers sporting director Kevin Thelwell did a horrible job of replacing the 52-goal striker, because Chermiti has been a huge flop so far.
The 21-year-old striker has simply failed to offer much of a threat at the top end of the pitch for the Light Blues this season, with one goal and one assist in 18 appearances in all competitions, per Transfermarkt.
It is not just his finishing that has hampered his start to life at Ibrox, though, because he has only missed five ‘big chances’, per Sofascore, and only missed one ‘big chance’ in ten outings in the Premiership.
This suggests that he has struggled with his movement in and around the box, as well as with his finishing, because he is not generating anywhere near as much in front of goal as Dessers did during his time at the club.
Premiership per 90
Dessers (24/25)
Chermiti (25/26)
xG
0.74
0.29
Goals
0.77
0.26
xG on target
0.80
0.40
Shots on target
1.79
1.55
Chances created
1.02
1.03
xA
0.04
0.05
Stats via FotMob
As you can see in the table above, the Nigerian striker averaged more than twice as much xG per 90 as Chermiti has managed this season for Rangers in the Premiership.
These statistics make Dessers look like an amazing goalscorer in comparison to the £8m summer signing, because he was a prolific striker who just missed too many ‘big chances’ to make him a reliable player.
Chermiti, though, has not provided any sort of genuine threat in front of goal for the Scottish giants, with big misses or goals, which is why supporters may look back on Dessers’ time at Ibrox a little more favourably now.
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Journalist Jonny McFarlane described Chermiti as a “mind-blowingly bad” signing who “offers nothing”, and it is hard to disagree with that assessment when you look at his output this season.
A return of one goal by the end of December after being signed for £8m as a striker is simply not good enough, particularly when you compare it to what Dessers provided on the pitch for the Gers.
Diomande upgrade: Rohl pushing for Rangers to sign £5m "sensation"
Danny Rohl is keen for Glasgow Rangers to sign this young star who could be an upgrade on Mohamed Diomande.
ByDan Emery
It would be interesting to know how many Rangers fans would gladly swap Dessers for Chermiti at the moment, given how poor the former Everton man has been this season.
However, the 21-year-old is still in the infancy of his Gers career and, hopefully, will be able to turn his form around and prove that he was worth spending £8m on.
Victoria will push for a home Pura Cup final without their regular wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, who has been dropped at the business end of the season. Adam Crosthwaite returns to the four-day team for the first time this season for their match against Queensland at the MCG starting on Friday.The Bushrangers have already secured their place in the decider but they must take at least first-innings points to have any chance of avoiding a trip to Sydney for the final. New South Wales and Victoria are equal on points but the Blues have the edge as they are ahead on quotient.The MCG has this season provided slow and low drop-in pitches that have been difficult to score on and Victoria’s captain Cameron White said it would be an advantage to play for the title in familiar conditions. “In four-day games we’ve got results here,” White said. “We’ve won both ways, batting first and batting last.”It’s home conditions for us so it’s a bit of an advantage. [But] we’ve got a pretty good record up in Sydney so we’re not too fussed about where we play. Obviously we’d like it here because that gives a bit of advantage given you don’t have to win the game to win the Pura Cup.”Victoria have almost a full-strength line-up to choose from, with only Gerard Denton (ankle) and Peter Siddle (shoulder) unavailable. Dirk Nannes returns to a 13-man squad after recovering from a foot injury, Darren Pattinson is back from an ankle problem and the injury-prone Shane Harwood is being rested ahead of the final.The big surprise was their decision to axe Wade, who has played all nine Pura Cup games this summer after switching from Tasmania during the off-season. He is the competition’s leading wicketkeeper in 2007-08 with 38 dismissals and he has averaged 27.91 with the bat.Although Wade, 20, has struggled for big runs lately he has still out-performed his replacement Crosthwaite, who is the state’s preferred limited-overs gloveman, in Melbourne’s club competition. Wade’s grade season has brought 587 runs at 48.91 compared to Crosthwaite’s 316 runs at 45.14.Queensland announced their squad on Monday but have made three changes due to health concerns with several players. Martin Love has been forced out due to a sudden attack of Bell’s palsy, which causes paralysis in the facial muscles, Chris Swan has a groin injury, and Greg Moller is still recovering from concussion following a blow to the head while fielding in close in the Bulls’ previous match.Nathan Reardon and Ben Laughlin will make their first-class debuts, while the opener Nick Kruger has also been added to the squad along with Clinton Perren. Laughlin, a right-arm seam bowler, is the son of the former Australia Test allrounder Trevor Laughlin and will put his day-job as a carpenter on hold to play in the Pura Cup match.Reardon, a regular member of the Queensland Twenty20 and FR Cup sides, is coming off excellent club form with scores of 160 and 135 not out from his past two games. The Bulls will be led by Chris Simpson, who has been temporarily handed the captaincy following the retirement of Jimmy Maher.Victoria squad Nick Jewell, Lloyd Mash, Brad Hodge, David Hussey, Cameron White (capt), Rob Quiney, Andrew McDonald, Adam Crosthwaite (wk), Clint McKay, Bryce McGain, Darren Pattinson, Allan Wise, Dirk Nannes.Queensland squad Ryan Broad, Nick Kruger, Nathan Reardon, Clinton Perren, Shane Watson, Chris Simpson (capt), Aaron Nye, Ashley Noffke, Chris Hartley (wk), Daniel Doran, Ben Laughlin, Scott Brant.
Mr. Niranjan Shah, Honorary Secretary, BCCI, has announced decisions taken at the Working Committee meeting of the BCCI held on April 7, 2007.1.With a view to strengthening domestic cricket, efforts will be made to ensure that all Test / ODI Cricketers play Irani, Duleep, Challenger and some Ranji Trophy Matches.2.Every Association will be directed to prepare fast and lively wickets for domestic tournaments.3.The BCCI will do away with home and away rotation and allot venues for Irani Trophy, Duleep Trophy, Deodhar Trophy, Ranji Trophy semi-finals and finals and one-day all-India knockout.4.It was decided that all affiliated units should start their own state academies by April 2009. These academies would be linked to the National Cricket Academy for the purpose of uniformity in coaching.5.It was decided to scrap the present zonal representation in the senior and junior selection committees. BCCI will appoint selectors on a full time basis based upon the eligibility criteria which would include stature as a player, selection experience etc. They will be remunerated suitably and appointed for a two-year term. The BCCI will take steps to propose necessary amendments to the Constitution to give effect to the above decision.6.Regular and frequent Under-19 and India A tours to Australia / England / New Zealand / South Africa / West Indies will be undertaken.7.The Working Committee has directed the Selection Committee to send a young team to Bangladesh under an experienced captain. The selection committee, after discussions has appointed Rahul Dravid as captain for India’s tour to Bangladesh, Ireland and England.8.BCCI will appoint a permanent manager for the Indian team for a two-year term. The Board will also appoint a permanent Media Manager for a two- year term.9.Notice will be issued to Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh under Rule 38 of the Memorandum and the Rules and Regulations of the Board asking for an explanation for their comments made to the media.10.Working Committee approved the Performance-based Payment to the players and decided to do away with the present gradation for Retainership. Apart from the payment, the following points would form a part of the contract.
A player will endorse not more than 3 sponsors / products
No Sponsor can contract more than 2 players.
The players will not be allowed to do any sponsor-related events 15 days before the tour and also during the tour.
Before every tour, all the contracted players have to undergo a fitness test and only those who fulfill the benchmarks will be considered for selection.
No player shall have exclusive contracts with electronic or print media. Only the captain can write a column or talk to the media but not exclusively.
The players shall take prior approval of the Board before signing any endorsement contract and will submit a copy of the agreement to the Board. All the players shall submit a copy of the existing contracts with sponsors to the Board.
All the players will have to play a stipulated number of domestic matches when not playing for India.
In the event of injury to the player, the Board will compensate him the match fees that he would have earned for a maximum period of six months.11. The Working Committee decided to form a Cricket Advisory committee consisting of the following ex – captains: Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, MAK Pataudi, Chandu Borde, Ravi Shastri, Krish Srikkanth and S Venkataraghavan under the Chairmanship of President [Sharad Pawar] and will include all the Office Bearers.12.The working committee appointed Ravi Shastri as Cricket Manager for the India’s tour to Bangladesh. It was further decided that Venkatesh Prasad will be the bowling coach and Robin Singh, the fielding coach for the tour.