Gary Kirsten has signed a two-year deal to coach the Indian national team. He will start work on March 1, 2008, almost a year after his predecessor, Greg Chappell, resigned from the post.Kirsten signed the contract after clarifying a few last-minute details pertaining to his young family and also to the feelings of senior players in the team who had been anonymously quoted as saying that the appointment of a coach was “unnecessary.”Sharad Pawar, the Indian board president, told Kirsten on Tuesday afternoon that all the senior players were looking forward to having him on board and agreed with Kirsten’s suggestion that he meets up with the team before they depart for Australia.”I will go back to India soon to meet up with the squad before they fly to Australia on December 17 and then I will join them again in a transition phase for the third and fourth Tests against Australia in the New Year,” Kirsten said. The Indian board, in a press release, has confirmed that Kirsten would interact with the squad during the third Test against Pakistan in Bangalore.”It is a huge honour and I’m looking forward to the challenge with as much enthusiasm as any challenge I’ve ever faced. I’m not naive – I know how big the job is and I know it won’t be easy, but it’s also something I really want to do, and do well,” Kirsten said.When Kirsten takes over full-time, his first assignment will be a three-Test series against South Africa. “That’s exciting. I really don’t think it will feel strange or odd. I will be doing everything I can to help India win. But Australia comes first and everybody’s energy must be focussed on producing success on what is the hardest tour in cricket,” Kirsten said.
Trinidad & Tobago stayed at the top of the KFC Cup regional one-day competition with an emphatic five-wicket victory over the Leeward Islands in Scarborough, their third consecutive win in the limited overs contest.Kieron Pollard’s 69, that steered T&T to the target of 177, won him the Man-of-the Match award. It took T&T only 36.3 overs of their allotted 50 to surpass the 176 set by the visitors, who won the toss and inserted themselves first up on a Shaw Park pitch that offered bounce.With a solid fielding and bowling display and the gallant, sturdy efforts of 19-year-old Pollard and 16-year-old opener Adrian Barath (41), T&T showed why they are the defending Carib Beer Series champions. Barath and Ganga steadied the ship with selective shots, while pinching the ones and twos. Later, Barath and Polard worked good in combination and both showed punishing stroke play.The shot of the day was struck by Pollard – on the fourth ball of the first over, facing Leewards spinner Hodge, Pollard blasted the ball high and straight past the bowler, the spectators, the pavilion and the media booths on the second level before it was deposited in the yard of neighbouring Scarborough Secondary.The win had been set up by a fine performance on the field. Some wily bowling, which saw each of the six bowlers used by captain Daren Ganga getting into the wicket-taking act, was buttressed by sharp fielding, with Ganga himself and Pollard each executing two clinical and momentum-breaking run outs.That included the “play-of-the-day” from Ganga, who swooped in fast from midwicket to produce a direct hit in one smooth motion that caught Omari Banks by surprise and well short of his crease. Leewards skipper Sylvester Joseph (72) and Cadville Rogers (50) were the only ones who dug in as their team-mates fell around them.Veerasammy Permaul’s five-wicket haul guided Guyana to a comprehensive 40-run win over Jamaica at Alpart Sports Club in St Elizabeth. Guyana, having been inserted to bat, managed a modest 163 but offspinner Permaul, with his second five-wicket haul in one-dayers, ensured that it was more than adequate. David Bernard (21) and Carlton Baugh (29) offered some resistance but Permaul cleaned both of them up to set up a fine win.A light afternoon shower forced the abandonment of the third round KFC Cup match between Windward Islands and Barbados at Benjamin’s Park in Dominica.After intermittent morning showers had delayed the start until 1:57 pm and reduced the match to a 20-overs-a-side affair, the game was called off when rain sent the players off the field at 2:47 pm. The stoppage forced an automatic abandonment since there was not enough time to get in the minimum number of overs by the cut-off time. When the rain came, Barbados, who were sent in, were had raced to 82 for 3 in nine overs.
TRAINS to Tunbridge Wells can usually be joined at Charing Crossor London Bridge, although this is not always the case. Theformer is advisable currently due to the extensive building workat the latter due to the extension of the London Underground.Rail travel information is available from Tonbridge (01732770111) It is strongly advised that the availability of trains isconfirmed, especially at weekends. The ground is beyond walkingdistance for all but the most determined. A taxi or bus isadvisable. The taxi rank is directly outside the station doors;most buses in Tunbridge Wells stop in the vicinity of thestation.MOTORISTS from outside the county should travel via the M25and/or A21 to Tunbridge Wells. It is easier if one remains onthe A21 past the first turning for Tunbridge Wells andSouthborough, leaving the road instead at the Tunbridge Wells andPembury exit a few miles further on. Then, head towardsTunbridge Wells along Pembury Road. The road will, after about 3miles, descend towards a set of traffic lights. Turn left atthese and head towards Hawkenbury. On Kent first XI match days,a park and ride bus service is employed to ease congestion in thevillage and this will be signposted as appropriate. Busesshuttle to and from the ground frequently and the score isdisplayed in the car park for latecomers.(price: 1 pound per person, single or return, as of 1996).Those actually heading for the ground itself should continue ontowards Hawkenbury and turn right into Warwick Park, shortlyafter passing the closest pub to the ground, the Spread Eagle.Those motorists using the Dartford Tunnel please note the toll isnow 1 pound.ACCOMMODATION in Tunbridge Wells can sometimes be in shortsupply; advance bookings are recommended. Accommodation guidescan be obtained by writing to the Tunbridge Wells TouristInfromation Centre at The Old Fish Market, The Pantiles,Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 5TN. Accommodation bookings can alsobe made through Tourist Information Centres.
The Madras High Court has directed Prasar Bharti, the national broadcaster, to telecast the upcoming series between India and Pakistan and has permitted them to engage any producer except Zee Telefilms and ESPN-Star.The Indian board has welcomed the order and said that it will take necessary action as per the court’s direction. “We welcome the court order,” SK Nair, the board secretary, was reported as saying on the NDTV website. “We will take necessary action as per the high court direction.” Nair added that the board will take action after obtaining the details of the court order.Ten Sports and Sony, two rival channels, have expressed their interest to produce the series. Kunal Dasgupta, the chief of Sony India, told the Press Trust of India: “We are interested to produce the series and would approach the BCCI on the matter, though finer details in the judgement are yet to be seen.” Sony got international rights for 31 cricketing days last year, and were also responsible for telecast of the World Cup in South Africa.The Indian board had earlier said that the Pakistan series, beginning next week, may be called off if the telecast issue was not resolved. KP Sivasubramanian, a judge in the Madras High Court, passed the ruling and added, “I am sure cricket fans will be happy now.” He said a final judgement would be made later in the writ petition filed by Zee Telefilms after it was denied the TV rights by the board last September.Doordarshan had also telecast the home series against Australia and South Africa earlier in the season on the advice of the Supreme Court. Ranbir Singh Mahendra, the board president, welcomed the interim order, saying all doubts about the Pakistan tour taking place had been removed. Mahendra told AFP: “We will abide by the court’s judgement and finalise the production details soon.”The Pakistan team are due to arrive here on Monday to play three Tests and six one-day internationals on their first full tour of India since 1999. The first Test is scheduled to begin in Mohali on March 8.
Chris Liptrot, the Worcestershire fast bowler, has been forced to retire from professional cricket at the age of 23 because of a persistent back problem.Liptrot made his debut in 1999, but since then his performances have been limited due to his back problem. He played 30 first-class games, taking 69 wickets at an average of just over 32 with a best of 6 for 44 against Warwickshire in 2000.Mark Newton, Worcestershire’s chief executive, said: “Chris has taken this decision after a great deal of medical advice. We are very disappointed for him, but fully respect his decision.”Liptrot is the second player to leave the club recently following Anurag Singh’s switch to Nottinghamshire last month.
Nepal made no race of their ICC Under-19 World Cup Plate Championship match against Canada at Colin Maiden Park in Auckland today.Canada won the toss and batted first, but were rarely comfortable against the useful Nepal attack.Only Jonathan Roberts batted with any confidence while scoring 47 off 89 balls in the middle-order for Canada as they were dismissed for 102 after 46.4 overs.Nepal captain Binod Das took three for 13 off 8.4 overs while Basant Regmi took three for 10 off 10 overs.Yashwant Subedi led the Nepal chase for the target of 103, scoring 41 not out off 57 balls while Bardan Chalise was 32 not out when the winning runs were scored in the 23rd over to give Nepal a nine wicket win.
The touring Kenyan team scored the first victory of their fortnightlong tour of India when they defeated Mumbai CA XI by seven wickets atthe Brabourne stadium on Monday. The visitors had earlier lost to TataSC in a one day match at Mumbai and then drew with Maharashtra CA XIin a two day game at Pune.Put in to bat, the Mumbai side were dismissed for 153 in 47.1overs. They never really recovered after opening bowlers Suji andOdoyo got rid of the first four batsman – A Rane, skipper Amit Pagnis,Sushant Manjrekar and Kiran Powar – with only 46 runs on theboard. The middle order boosted the score a bit with A Dani at No 7getting 32 and Mussavir Khote at No 8 scoring 26. The two put on 39runs for the seventh wicket from 13 overs after six wickets had gonefor 93 – the highest stand of the innings. Odoyo, Suji, Tikolo andOdumbe all took two wickets each.It was far from smooth sailing for Kenya as they commenced theirreply. Openers KO Otieno and RD Shah were out midway through the fifthover with only nine runs on the board. However HS Modi (19) and SteveTikolo weathered the early storm by adding 50 runs for the thirdwicket off 13.4 overs. It was then left to the experienced duo ofTikolo and skipper Maurice Odumbe to apply the finishing touches withan unbeaten fourth wicket partnership of 97 runs off 16 overs. Tikolohit 84 off 89 balls with nine fours and two sixes while Odumbe’s 34was compiled off 48 balls and included two hits to the ropes.
Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly now eyeing up a bargain move to sign Sasa Kalajdzic this summer.
The Lowdown: Kane going?
It has been reported that the long-term future of Harry Kane at Spurs has been casted further into doubt by their 1-0 FA Cup exit away at Middlesbrough in midweek, and so the North London club may now already have to start looking for replacements for the England national team captain, or bring in significant reinforcements in order to try to persuade him to stay.
Kalajdzic is a fellow typical number nine, and while he has been history of being able to put the ball in the back of the net, and so it is no surprise to see Antonio Conte’s team linked with a move for him now.
The Latest: Tottenham lurking
As per Kicker, the Lilywhites are just one of a number of clubs eyeing a potential swoop for Kalajdzic in the summer, with West Ham United, AS Roma, RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich also being named as possible destinations.
He is ‘likely’ to leave Stuttgart at the end of the season and his current price tag of €20m (£16.5m) is expected to drop by ‘a lot’, as he is out of contract in 2023.
The Verdict: Bargain
If THFC can land Kalajdzic for anything less than £16.5m, it would be an absolute bargain.
Currently rated at £19.8m by Transfermarkt, he is also a full Austria international, and at 24 years of age, his stock is only going to rise.
He is already drawing comparisons to world superstar Erling Haaland, and Bundesliga journalist Stefan Bienkowski even thinks that he would be an ‘ideal’ replacement for the Norway international at Dortmund.
Also described as an ‘Ibrahimovic-machine’ in likening to the legendary Swede, Kalajdzic is a mammoth six-foot-seven-inches tall, but possesses a lot of technical qualities as well for a big man, according to Bundesliga expert Daniel Pinder.
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Nonetheless, it is no surprise that Stuttgart coach Pellegrino Matarazzo considers him ‘invaluable’, and he would certainly be worth every penny for Tottenham.
In other news, find out what big Spurs target update has now emerged here!
Twist and shout Andrew Symonds’ innings started in a hurry despite a slip on the damp surface. Opening with a cut from his second ball, he followed it with a cover-driven boundary and turned his ankle running on the grass next to the pitch. He grimaced and limped but continued to bat and when he planted Muttiah Muralitharan for a straight six he had 14 from five balls. After making an unbeaten 50, his injury prevented him from fielding.Flattened again The squash ball has returned to haunt Sri Lanka. Adam Gilchrist chopped one up to strengthen his grip during the World Cup final against them and struck 149, which created claims in Sri Lanka that it was against the rules. The appliance was back in his glove today when he hit his 100th six in Tests.Overloaded Sri Lanka’s struggling fast bowlers were placed under more pressure with the absence of Farveez Maharoof due to a stress fracture in his ankle. Muralitharan took the load at one end and Lasith Malinga and Dilhara Fernando carried most of the duties from the other. Once this series is over, the Sri Lankan attack may put in for group stress leave.Lights out Bad light has caused regular disruptions during the first two Tests and the reduction in play has upset some spectators. However, Adam Gilchrist was in no doubt about the decision to call play off early. “It was difficult to see out there,” he said. “It’s more cut and dried here, where there are no artificial lights [like in Brisbane]. That’s where it gets confusing and uncertainty comes in for everyone. Here it’s a pretty clean-cut decision.”Rugged up The sweaters Sri Lanka have lugged around were not wasted as the weather turned cold, misty and windy at Bellerive. It was good for the sailors wanting to use their spinnakers, but it made things even more uncomfortable for the hand-rubbing visitors.
Some supporters heading to the Caribbean for next year’s World Cup have reacted angrily to what they claim is an overt attempt to rip off tourists with the introduction of special visa requirements for the period January to May.While the nationals of some countries taking part will be exempt – the UK, Canada, Ireland, South Africa and Netherlands for example – those traveling to the tournament from others places – such as Australia, New Zealand, India and Pakistan – will need to apply for the special Caricom visa which will cost US$100.Officially, the idea behind the visa is to enable local border controls to be waived during the event and also to try to ensure that security is maintained at a high level.Officials stated that visa application centres would be set up in London, Toronto , New York, Miami, New Delhi and Sydney. In addition, those who need visas and who were already in CARICOM states may apply directly to the special visa sites locally. They added that it was hoped to process all applications within three weeks.However, critics are quick to point out that the move adds to already vastly inflated prices in the region as businesses look to cash-in on the seven-week tournament. In Australia, fans have lambasted what they called a cash grab. Tour operators, whose clients have paid thousands of dollars each to go to the Caribbean, are said to have been inundated with calls from angry customers.
Information on the issuing sites, visa application form and the Instruction Sheet are available on IMPACS website at: www.caricomimpacs.org.