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A round-up of the first day’s play of the ninth round of matches in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy

Cricinfo staff13-Feb-2009Group ANational Bank of Pakistan’s pace attack comprising Wahab Riaz, Mohammed Aamer and Mohammad Imran dismissed Lahore Shalimar for 134 in 36.4 overs, allowing their batsmen to take a lead by the end of the first day in Lahore. Riaz took 5 for 36, Imran 2 for 33, while Aamer bowled the last three batsmen to dismiss Lahore, for whom Mohammad Saeed’s 32 was the top score. National Bank’s openers Umar Amin and Rashid Riaz consolidated the advantage provided by the bowlers by adding 86 for the first wicket. Riaz fell on 45 but Amin went on to complete his half-century and also added 87 runs for the second wicket with Anwar Hafeez. National Bank ended the day on 173 for 1, with a lead of 39.Pakistan fast bowler Iftikhar Anjum took 4 for 85 to limit Pakistan Customs to 280 on the first day against Zarai Taraqiati Bank in Sheikhupura. Pakistan Customs were in early trouble after choosing to bat, losing their first two wickets for 30. Their captain Bilal Shafayat led a recovery by scoring 55 but he failed to make a telling contribution. All of his team-mates also got off to starts – nine batsmen made it into double figures – but Zeeshan Ali’s unbeaten 50 was the next highest score. Anjum, who struck three blows to the top-order, was supported by Abdul Razzaq who picked up 3 for 36. Pakistan Customs, however, hit back by dismissing Afaq Raheem late in the day to reduce Zarai Taraqiati Bank to 6 for 1.Sui Northern Gas Pipelines took firm control of the contest against Karachi Whites in Karachi, dismissing the hosts for 121, and ending the first day with a lead of 13 and eight wickets in hand. SNGPL’s new-ball attack of Samiullah Khan and Imran Ali caused severe damage to Karachi’s top-order, reducing them to 49 for 5. Imran finished with 4 for 48 while Samiullah took 3 for 26. Karachi got past 100 only because of Adnan Baig’s 50 off 71 balls. SGNPL captain and opener Mohammad Hafeez ensured his team stayed on top by scoring an unbeaten 74 and finished on 134 for 2.A 152-run stand between Aamer Sajjad and Ali Azmat revived Water and Power Development Authority from a top-order wobble against Sui Southern Gas Corporation in Muridke . Rajesh Ramesh struck thrice to help reduce WAPDA to 77 for 4 before the pair came together. Sajjad scored 86 off 197 balls, while Azmat made 102 off 180 but both were dismissed towards the end of the day, leaving WAPDA on 259 for 6.No play was possible on the first day between Habib Bank and Khan Research Laboratories in Rawalpindi.Group BLahore Ravi held the edge over Multan on the first day in Lahore, restricting them to 234 for 7. Left-arm spinner Sohail Ahmed ran through the middle-order with 4 for 25, ensuring that Multan didn’t have any partnerships of note. However, Multan still have their top-scorer, Navd Yashin, unbeaten on 83 at the crease.Bad weather washed out play on the first day in the matches between Faisalabad and Abbottabad in Sargodha, Peshawar and Sialkot in Peshawar, Islamabad and Karachi Blues at the Diamond Club Ground in Islamabad, and Rawalpindi and Quetta in Islamabad.

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Após a goleada por 5 a 1 sobre a Chapecoense na última quinta-feira, o elenco do Flamengo se reapresentou no Ninho do Urubu, mas apenas os reservas e quem entrou estiveram no campo. Titulares contra os catarinenses ficaram na academia, fazendo trabalho regenerativo, visando o jogo contra o Bahia, fora de casa.

No campo 4 do Ninho do Urubu, Zé Ricardo comandou um treino coletivo com reservas e os recém-chegados Éverton Ribeiro e Geuvânio tiveram grande desempenho nas finalizações. Camisa 7 chamou bastante atenção e recebeu muitos elogios do treinador durante a atividade.

Com Juan suspenso pelo terceiro cartão amarelo e Réver, que com uma pancada na coxa esquerda é dúvida para o jogo contra o Bahia, zaga que treinou bem nesta sexta-feira, composta por Rafael Vaz e Diego pode ser titular na Arena Fonte Nova.

Éverton Ribeiro também será titular, já que Éverton tomou o terceiro cartão amarelo e desfalca o Rubro-Negro contra o Tricolor baiano. Camisa 7 atua mais pela direita do campo e com isso Zé Ricardo tem que decidir se colocar o Berrío para a esquerda, ou deixa o colombiano no banco para sair jogando com Vinicius Jr.

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The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece has delivered a promising update on Aston Villa star Leon Bailey.

What’s the story?

The Jamaica international is one of a number of stand-out arrivals this summer at Villa Park for Dean Smith’s side, but has yet to join in with first-team training at his new club due to protocols.

But now, Preece has dropped an update on when that could happen, and even tipped the former Bayer Leverkusen flier to “be back” for the Premier League clash against Newcastle on August 21st.

He said: “Bailey training alongside his brother Travis; all I’ve been told is his isolation period is ending and he’s joining up with Villa ‘real soon’. Smith will give the lowdown tomorrow at his presser. Expect Bailey to be back for the big one vs Newcastle at VP. As for squad numbers, they’re due to be released imminently.”

Fans will be excited

Given the amount of signings that Villa have made – and quality ones at that too – it’s only natural for the club’s fans to want to see them in action as soon as possible.

Pre-season has already seen the likes of Emi Buendia, Danny Ings and Ashley Young take to the field in their new colours, but Bailey has been a notable omission given he’s had to stay away due to isolation.

And while he may not be available for this weekend’s opener against Watford at Vicarage Road, Preece’s update that he will be joining up soon with his new teammates, and that the clash against Newcastle a week later could be a real possibility for him to be back for, is one that will excite Villa fans a lot.

Bailey will get the chance to make his competitive debut in front of his own fans at Villa Park, and that should make for a rousing reception from the home support.

Meanwhile, Gregg Evans has dropped an Aston Villa transfer update…

Joe Wainman has dropped an exciting Leeds United transfer claim about their chase for Huddersfield Town midfielder Lewis O’Brien.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks had suggested that Marcelo Bielsa’s side have had preliminary discussions with the Terries over signing him, and now, Wainman has revealed a major development.

Speaking on the latest edition of The Daily Leeds show, he said: “I have it on good authority, a little bit of ITK for you, that Leeds United have agreed a fee with Huddersfield Town.

“I believe it was done yesterday, I can’t be privy to how much, if it does include a player – but I think by the sounds of it, it looks like it is just going to be cash and whether it will be close to £10m, I’m not sure.

“It seems hefty, but Leeds have that money, we need a midfielder, Lewis O’Brien’s liked by Bielsa. He wants him in the door, he’s seen him numerous times and it looks like that one’s going to be done.”

Fans will be excited

Having missed out on the signing of Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher – the England youth international instead made the loan switch to fellow Premier League side Crystal Palace – Marcelo Bielsa is no doubt desperate to strengthen his options in the middle of the park.

And in O’Brien, the club would be getting someone who has the kind of energy and dynamism that can match the high-pressing philosophy Bielsa has employed at Elland Road.

Former Huddersfield goalkeeper, Matt Glennon, said: “Lewis O’Brien wants to put the hard yards in and wants to be at the very top of where he can get to.

“He’s one of those lads who works ridiculously hard which, for me, is your minimum in any league, but he’s got that quality, the drop of a shoulder, that strength to keep people off him, a low centre of gravity to glide past people, arm aloft when they try to knock him off the ball.”

At just 22, and with bundles of Championship experience to his name (he’s played 80 times in the competition), O’Brien could come into Elland Road to provide the likes of Kalvin Phillips with some genuine competition, and keep everyone on their toes.

While high-profile international signings like Rodrigo and Raphinha may be the ones fans typically get excited about, O’Brien’s tenacity, and value for money if Wainman is correct, se

Given Phil Hay’s update that a new central midfielder has been the priority for Leeds since the signing of Junior Firpo from Barcelona, Wainman’s latest claim that the club have agreed a fee for O’Brien is sure to excite Bielsa and the club’s fans.

Meanwhile, Phil Hay has dropped a new Leeds United transfer update…

David Norris has urged his former club to land Norwich midfielder Todd Cantwell…

What’s the talk?

Ex-Leeds midfielder David Norris has backed his former club to sign Norwich attacking midfielder Todd Cantwell, as he believes that it would be a great deal for the club. He told This Is Futbol:

“I really like him. I’ve seen him over the years and he is a good player who can create chances and score.

“I could see him doing quite well at Leeds, in that attacking line-up. He’s a very good player. If they have a chance of getting him and I saw that Leeds have signed Cantwell, I’d be happy with that.”

This comes after The Athletic’s Michael Bailey ruled out a move to Aston Villa for the Canaries academy product this window.

Bielsa would love him

Victor Orta must sanction a swoop for Cantwell this summer. Leeds were reportedly in talks with Norwich over a deal for the midfielder at the start of last season and ultimately failed to get it across the line, as the player stayed at Carrow Road and helped his hometown team win the Championship title.

With Villa’s interest seemingly cooling in him, it could be the perfect time for Leeds to reignite their flame and enter the race for his signature. The Whites could have no competition to land the Englishman because of Villa’s transfer decision, which could mean that they only need to negotiate a fee with Norwich and would not need to worry about another team coming in to oust them.

Marcelo Bielsa would love to have him at Elland Road for a couple of reasons. For starters, Cantwell has natural talent and is excellent with the ball at his feet. His former Norwich youth team coach, Gary Cockaday, hailed his talents as God-given. He told The Athletic: “Todd looked at one of them in the eye, put his toe under the ball, flicked it back over his head, turned and he was gone. All without looking at the ball.

“He did things every week that were just special. It was God-given. No one taught it. I always believed if you had someone like that, don’t change them or make them conform.”

In 94 league career appearances for Norwich, across the Championship and Premier League, Cantwell has averaged 1.2 key passes and 1.4 dribbles completed per game. This shows that he has the technical ability to beat players with the ball at his feet whilst also providing chances at the end of his runs. Bielsa would love to have a player like this in his team as he could create chances for the likes of Raphinha and Patrick Bamford.

The Argentine coach would also be delighted with this deal as Cantwell is only 23. He has the majority of his career still left ahead of him and Bielsa could enjoy working with him on the training pitch to help him fulfil his potential at the top level.

The ex-Marseille manager would be thrilled with the opportunity to develop another promising young player, whilst improving his Leeds side.

AND in other news, Imagine him and Raphinha: Leeds must land “unplayable” beast to seal terrifying attack…

Michael Holding has resigned from the ICC cricket committee because the result of the 2006 Oval Test was changed

Cricinfo staff05-Jul-2008
Michael Holding: “A lot of things are happening today that I don’t want to be involved with, so I’ve moved on” © Stanford 20/20
Michael Holding, the former West Indian fast bowler, has resigned from the ICC cricket committee because he is unhappy with the ICC’s decision to change the result of the 2006 Oval Test between England and Pakistan from a forfeited win for England to a draw.Holding felt that Pakistan’s refusal to play should not go unpunished even though they were not guilty of ball-tampering.”I have just written my letter of resignation to the ICC cricket committee because I cannot agree with what they’ve done,” Holding said while commentating for Sky Sports during a domestic match in England. “That game should never, ever be a draw. When you take certain actions, you must be quite happy to suffer the consequences.”A lot of things are happening today that I don’t want to be involved with, so I’ve moved on.”The Oval Test was originally awarded to England by umpire Darrell Hair after Pakistan did not come out to field after tea on the fourth day, following accusations of ball-tampering.Pakistan had, at the time, been in a strong position in the match, having secured a first-innings lead of 331 and removed four England batsmen in their second innings. There was nothing at stake in the series, with England already leading 2-0 after wins at Headingley and Old Trafford, but the eventual forfeiture was the first in the history of Test cricket. The removal of England’s win could affect their standing in the ICC Test Championship – they are currently third on 110 points, one ahead of their next opponents, South Africa, on 109.The result had huge off-field ramifications as well. Hair went on to be suspended from the ICC elite panel, and though that decision was overturned last year when he took his employers to the High Court in London, the initial decision formed the basis of Pakistan’s appeal for a rethink of the result.

Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis launched South Africa’s tour of England in ominous fashion, as a depleted Somerset attack was put to the sword in front of a packed Sunday crowd at Taunton

Andrew Miller at Taunton29-Jun-2008
Andrew Caddick: not happy with the state of Taunton’s wicket © Getty Images
At the age of 39, Andrew Caddick has finally admitted that his England days are over, but that hasn’t stopped him having a go at the ECB for a flat-pitch policy that, in his opinion, is damaging the Test side’s prospects against a strong South African batting line-up this summer.On the first day of South Africa’s tour match against Somerset, Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis both made big hundreds in a total of 455 for 3, while Caddick – in only his third first-class outing of an injury-plagued season – was the pick of a beleaguered attack with 2 for 105 in 23 overs. But afterwards his pleasure at getting through an arduous day was tempered by frustration at the lifeless wicket on which he and his team had been asked to bowl.”I’m pleased personally, but again it was hard work at Taunton which disappointed me,” he said. “I know there’s an ECB directive that says we must produce flat wickets for the opposition, but in my opinion that’s a load of rubbish. These guys want to come here and prepare for Test cricket and they should be playing on the best wickets in England, on wickets that are bowler-friendly to make sure they don’t get any advantages prior to Test match cricket.””It dumbfounds me what the ECB is talking about concerning these wickets,” said Caddick. “South Africa are a damn good side, but if England can get on top of them, not only in the Test matches but with the county sides against them, that can be of benefit to the English cricket team. We should be working them over hard, because if we went back to South Africa there’d be green seaming wickets to make sure our English batters never got a run.”That was most definitely the case on England’s last tour of South Africa, in 2004-05, when Charl Langeveldt and Somerset’s own Charl Willoughby combined in swinging conditions at Potchefstroom, as South Africa A beat England by seven wickets in their solitary warm-up before the first Test. Willoughby, however, was one of six regular first-team players missing from Somerset’s line-up, which somewhat undermined the force of Caddick’s argument.Caddick, however, didn’t see it that way, especially with Somerset in hot pursuit of their maiden County Championship title. “We’ve got a hectic summer, and we’ve just come back from the Twenty20s,” he said. “I’d love to have a situation where we played ten matches a year and could put out a strong side against the tourists, but it’s non-stop and players need resting. If I’d started a full season I wouldn’t be playing either. But if you produce friendly wickets, your youngsters go in with a bit of help, and they can step up to the plate against international sides.”Instead, Somerset’s youngsters were put to the sword, not least by Amla, whose 172 broke Tip Snooke’s 101-year-old record for South Africa against Somerset. Even so, he was jokingly disappointed not to have gone on to reach a double-century, which demonstrated just how easy the conditions for batting had been. “It was a very good toss to win, on a flat wicket that was much slower than I expected. When you first come in it takes a bit of time to adjust and get used to it, but it was pretty favourable for the batsmen. I think before any Test you want to be playing against quality opposition, but I thought they bowled pretty well, even though the scoreboard doesn’t suggest it.”Somerset struck only two notable blows all day, and Caddick was the instigator of both – first when Neil McKenzie was trapped lbw by the first ball of the match, and then in the closing overs, when Kallis was pinned on the elbow by the new ball and forced to retire hurt. “The day started well then all went bad from there,” said Caddick, who was typically unrepentant about the injury afterwards.”My attitude always is, if you can’t bowl them out, get them out by hurting them,” he said. “It’s as simple as that – get them out of the way. I’m sure he’ll be alright, he’s a strong lad, but as far as I was concerned, I was quite happy he left the field. To be leaving the field he’ll be in pain, and if he’s in pain, that’s good for me. [In these conditions], you’ve got to work your arse off to get the best out of yourself, and the wicket.”Caddick intends doing that for a long while yet. After finishing the 2007 season as the leading English wicket-taker, he underwent a back operation over the winter and has barely featured since. Today’s two-wicket haul was the most he’s managed in any first-class innings in 2008.”My England days are over, but I’m happy with what I’m doing,” he said. “I was virtually pain-free which is nice, but I didn’t have much rhythm today, which is a little annoying. These things will come, but now I’m definitely looking forward to starting my season. It’s been a long time coming.”

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O Santos esteve presente nas últimas oito finais de Campeonatos Paulistas e não era eliminado no mata-mata antes da final desde 2004, mas mesmo assim, comissão técnica e jogadores tentam encarar a eliminação precoce nas quartas de final, sofrida para a Ponte Preta na última segunda-feira pelo lado bom. O principal destacado pelo técnico Dorival Júnior foi a busca por títulos.

O treinador lembrou do caso de dois rivais para ressaltar que é possível tomar outros rumos após a queda. Os exemplos foram Corinthians e Palmeiras.

O rival de Itaquera foi eliminado pelo próprio Santos nas oitavas de final da Copa do Brasil de 2015 e acabou se sagrando campeão brasileiro no mesmo ano. Já o Palmeiras, foi eliminado na Libertadores de 2016 para também ser campeão nacional.

E o Peixe?

-O time vai corresponder. Não tenho dúvida. O Santos está preparado para uma grande conquista. Uma equipe que joga como o Santos, não pode deixar e não vai deixar de ser agraciado com grande resultado. Tenho certeza que a equipe está pronta. Equipe madura e que joga futebol agressivo. Esse reconhecimento temos da maioria dos treinadores. Essas pessoas dão feedback e transfiro para os jogadores. Quem aprecia um bom futebol, sabe o que estou tentando mostrar. O Palmeiras saiu de uma competição para ganhar outra no ano passado. Em 2015, o Corinthians saiu da Copa para ser campeão brasileiro. Talvez o Santos esteja saindo do Paulista para alcançar outra grande competição – comentou após o jogo contra a Ponte Preta.

O Alvinegro é o líder do grupo 2 da Libertadores com quatro pontos e vai à Colômbia encarar o Santa Fe no dia 19 pela terceira rodada.

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Football London writer Sam Inkersole believes that West Ham United need to add a goalscorer to their ranks this summer.

The Hammers finished a very impressive sixth in the Premier League last term, just two points off the final Champions League place which went to Chelsea.

West Ham scored 62 goals in the league last season which was an average of 1.63 goals per game. Michail Antonio and Tomas Soucek led the Hammers’ scoring charts with 10 goals each, but Inkersole believes the club need a goalscorer.

“They just need a striker that can give them ten, fifteen goals, I think that should be enough for them because they get plenty of goals from midfield in Bowen,” Inkersole told Football FanCast.

One player West Ham have been linked with is Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham, but they face competition from London rivals Arsenal, with The Sun reporting the Gunners are apparently leading the race for his signature.

Last season’s Hammers loan star Jesse Lingard is another name linked with a move back to the London Stadium.

After scoring nine goals in the second half of the season, which saw Lingard become West Ham’s third leading Premier League scorer, a full season for the club could see him become that ten-to-fifteen a season goalscorer Inkersole reckons the club needs, but a deal appears unlikely with the Manchester United man scoring a pre-season goal for his club against Queens Park Rangers last weekend.

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Neymar encanta não apenas torcedores e jornalistas, mas também seus companheiros. Um dos destaques da Seleção Brasileira, o meia Phillipe Coutinho, do Liverpool (ING), rasgou elogios ao camisa 10 neste sábado e afirmou ser fácil atuar ao lado dele.

– O Neymar é um craque, como todos podemos ver, decide muitos jogos e na nossa Seleção é fundamental. O conheço há muito tempo, desde a base, e jogar ao lado dele é um pouco fácil. A gente dá a bola nele e ele resolve. Com certeza ele está entre os três melhores do mundo, se continuar jogando assim certamente vai ganhar (prêmio de melhor do mundo) – disse, em entrevista coletiva.

Coutinho será novamente titular do Brasil na partida contra o Paraguai, nesta terça-feira, na Arena Corinthians, pelas Eliminatórias da Copa do Mundo. Mesmo com a equipe liderando a competição e estando praticamente classificada para o Mundial na Rússia, ele previu uma partida difícil em Itaquera e pediu atenção.

O meia também exaltou o técnico Tite e comentou a importância de a equipe estar com a moral elevada após sete vitórias consecutivas:

– A confiança é quase tudo. Quando você está confiante tenta jogadas e acaba dando certo. Para chegar nesse nível tem um caminho, que é ganhar jogos, e quando você vai ganhando partidas isso vai aumentando, o clima vai melhorando. Nosso time está bem confiante – opinou.

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