ScorecardUAE’s Saqib Ali and Khurram Khan defied Scotland’s bowlers with a dogged century partnership on the first day of their Intercontinental Cup match at Ayr.After a five-hour delay due to heavy rain – play getting underway at 4pm – Scotland picked up three quick wickets, making the most of helpful and seamer friendly conditions. Craig Wright was first to strike, trapping Arshad Ali, UAE’s captain, in front for a duck. Five overs later, Wright broke through in identical fashion to remove Gayan Silva, before John Blain found the edge of Amjad Javed’s bat, Ryan Watson pulling off a fine catch at second slip.At 18 for 3, UAE were up against it but Khurramm and Saqib were let off the hook by Scotland and soon the pair capitalised. They put on 153 for the fourth wicket, before Khurram fell to Majid Haq for a composed 74. However, with poor weather forecast for the remaining three days, both sides have plenty to do if they’re to force a win.
The International Cricket Council has written to the Pakistan board expressing concerns over the facilities at Peshawar’s Arbab Niaz Stadium.Abbas Zaidi, the PCB director board operations, said that the ICC was unhappy with the fracas that occurred during the first ODI between Pakistan and India earlier this year. “Actually, it was Chris Broad [ICC match referee from England] who was dismayed at the facilities and arrangements provided for that limited overs game in Peshawar,” Zaidi told , a Karachi-based daily. “The referee had expressed his unhappiness at the lack of security arrangements and related facilities for the teams and the officials after a large number of spectators managed to barge into the ground. But despite the unfortunate fiasco, the match was played in good spirit with no untoward incident taking place.”Zaidi reiterated though that the ICC had not prohibited Peshawar from staging international fictures. “Peshawar remains one of our venues for international matches in the future. But we have asked the Peshawar administration to rectify the situation before we review the centre for staging international matches.”We are keen to take administrative charge of the Peshawar centre from a cricketing point of view. The PCB had already sought control of stadiums at Faisalabad and Rawalpindi, which like Peshawar, are under the control of local administration.”
Bob Woolmer has already worked some minor miracles in his short stint as Pakistan’s coach, but he is well aware that something special will be required on the final day at Faisalabad, if Pakistan are to avoid slumping to defeat against Sri Lanka, Woolmer’s first home Test at the helm.Sanath Jayasuriya set Pakistan up for the fall with a rollicking 253, before Dilhara Fernando completed a deflating day with a four-wicket burst before the close of the fourth day. The upshot was that Pakistan needed a further 314 for victory, with six wickets standing. “It’s going to be tough work to save the game,” admitted Woolmer, “but we will have a go.”We’ve had enough bad sessions to be on the wrong side of this game,” he added. “Our batting was disappointing in the first innings to say the least.” Pakistan had a golden opportunity to take command of the match after Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami dismissed Sri Lanka for 243, but they could muster no more than 264 in reply.”We are looking for players to bat for two days in Test matches just like Jayasuriya did,” added Woolmer, although he admitted that Pakistan’s recent schedule had not been in their favour. The team has had a glut of one-day matches since the series against India back in April, and there have been no domestic four-day games in the meantime.”I would like to see more Test matches,” he continued, “so you are not always just playing 15 one-day internationals. Surely there should be three or four Test matches and then five one-day internationals so that players can alternate better.”The Sri Lankan camp was a much happier place, and Jayasuriya was beaming after carrying his side into a winning position. “I have never thought about individual landmarks,” he said, “but getting such a score obviously is very pleasing. I hope my innings helps us win this Test match because all of us want to show everyone that Sri Lanka is a team capable of winning abroad.”It is always important for me when I get runs outside Sri Lanka but I am satisfied today because I scored runs when my team needed it the most.”
Clive Leach, the former chief executive of Tyne Tees Television, has been appointed as Durham’s new chairman.”I am honoured to become involved with Durham, one of the most innovative and exciting counties in cricket”, said Leach. “The North East has always been important to me and I hope that through my business and cricketing background I can help realise the Durham dream of having a successful team, developing the Riverside and hosting regular high-profile international cricket.”Long-time followers of the county may remember Leach from his playingdays. He played for Durham between 1960 and 1964 after four years of first-class cricket with Warwickshire and was also the professional for Bishop Auckland CC between 1960 and 1963.Leach has strong links with the North East having started his 30 years in television working with Tyne Tees. On his retirement from television in 1993 he was Chairman and Chief Executive of Yorkshire Tyne Tees plc. In 2000 he was awarded the CBE for services to training and education.”On behalf of Durham CCC I would like to welcome Clive Leach to the Board”, said outgoing chairman Bob Jackson. “It has been a privilege and a challenge for me to be chairman of the club over the last year and I am looking forward to working with Clive in my role as vice-chairman.”Durham’s chief executive David Harker added: “The club has conducted a wide-ranging and comprehensive search for a nationally respected business leader with strong North East links and a love of cricket. I believe that in Clive we have found the ideal candidate.”
WESTERN Warriors fast bowler Brad Williams has been ruled out of the important Pura Cup match against the New South Wales SpeedBlitz Blues at the WACA Ground.Williams, the Warriors premier new-ball bowler, was ruled out just before the commencement of the game with an elbow injury.Williams, 28, aggravated his right elbow during a training session on Wednesday.He was replaced in the Warriors starting line-up by former Test paceman Matthew Nicholson.The loss of Williams was the second major injury blow to the Warriors in successive days.Exciting teenage batsman Shaun Marsh was forced out with recurrence of a groin injury.Marsh was replaced in the Warriors team by all-rounder Beau Casson. Batsman Adam Voges was named 12th man.Williams has taken 17 wickets at an average of 24.53 from four Pura Cup games this season.Nicholson returns to the team following a series of outstanding performances with SunSmart League club Scarborough, including his maiden century and a seven wicket haul within the past month.He has made four Pura Cup appearances this season for his 10 wickets (average of 42.2) and 64 runs at an average of 10.67.Nicholson was advised of his recall on the morning of the match after Williams reported severe soreness in his elbow.
After seeing his side enjoy by far the best of the first day’s play against Glamorgan at Taunton today Chief Executive Peter Anderson told me “We put up a good performance out there today, and we looked a very good side.The pitch was very quick, which suited our attack, and all of our bowlers used the conditions well. All credit to Phil Frost and his team.”When I asked him what he was hoping for tomorrow he said, “We will be looking to build a big score and then to bowl them out again.”
After Thomas Frank’s appointment as Tottenham Hotspur manager in the summer handed fans a new sense of optimism, but it appears such an emotion is already running thin.
The Dane has now lost four of his last seven Premier League outings in charge of the Lilywhites, which has no doubt cranked up the pressure on his shoulders.
Rumours have been swirling over the manager’s long-term future in North London, especially with the side once again sliding down the table, as seen by their 11th-place standing at present.
It remains to be seen if the hierarchy will be willing to hand the 52-year-old the benefit of the doubt over his recent form, or whether an immediate change will be made.
However, numerous managers have since been touted with taking the reins should the club decide to make a swift dismissal of the manager despite his arrival this summer.
Spurs' number one manager target revealed
Over the last couple of days, numerous outlets have been reporting about a potential change in manager, which has led to Fulham boss Marco Silva being named as a candidate to take over.
It’s been claimed that he’s just one of the options being considered by the Lilywhites, with the 48-year-old already securing a win over Frank’s side in 2025/26.
Silva is also out of contract at the Cottagers come the end of June, which could make any potential deal for his services a cheaper one – with a compensation fee still needing to be paid.
However, it appears as though other targets are ahead of him in the pecking order at present, with former boss Mauricio Pochettino another option being considered by the board.
According to CaughtOffside, the Argentine is the hierarchy’s first choice to take over from Frank should the Dane be dismissed from the role in the coming months.
The report also states ENIC see the former boss as the strongest replacement available, but it’s unclear if the 53-year-old would be open to a return to North London.
Why Pochettino would be perfect for Simons
During the recent summer transfer window, the Spurs board spent a fee in the region of £52m on the signature of attacking midfielder Xavi Simons – but such a move hasn’t been plain sailing.
The Dutchman has already racked up 21 appearances for the Lilywhites, but has only racked up a measly total of five goals and assists across all competitions.
There’s no doubt the 22-year-old has shown glimpses of his quality, as seen against Brentford, but he’s been unable to demonstrate his talents on a consistent basis.
However, Frank has often utilised the youngster in a somewhat unnatural left-wing role in numerous matches, which he no doubt had an effect on his lack of success to date.
Pochettino’s potential return to North London could allow Simons to become the next version of Dele, with the Englishman reaching some incredible heights in North London under his guidance.
The Argentine, who’s been dubbed “world-class” by Todd Boehly, gave the attacking midfielder the best years of his career during his time in charge of the Lilywhites, as seen by some of the remarkable feats achieved in the Premier League.
Dele originally joined from MK Dons for a reported £5m back in the summer of 2015, subsequently having an immediate impact in the first-team despite arriving as a teenager.
His first three years at the club saw him register 146 appearances, which led to the Englishman scoring on 46 occasions whilst also laying on 35 assists for his teammates.
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During such a period, he managed to win the PFA Premier League Young Player of the Year award on two separate occasions, even becoming a consistent performer at international level.
Dele – Spurs record across all competitions
Statistics
Tally
Appearances
269
Minutes played
19162
Goals
67
Assists
58
Goal Involvements per Match
0.46
Minutes per goal
286
Minutes per assist
330
Stats via Transfermarkt
After Pochettino’s departure from Spurs in November 2019, Dele’s career has never been the same, with the midfielder now currently without a club after leaving Como in September.
His form under the former Lilywhites boss is evidence that he’s able to get the best out of the players at his disposal, something which could happen with Simons should he be reappointed.
There’s no denying the Dutchman has shown glimpses but Pochettino could well work his magic and help the youngster reach the same heights achieved by Dele at the club.
As for Frank, there’s little denying he’s struggled to live up to expectations in the role, which could result in an early departure from his position in the coming months.
Dream for Simons: Spurs want to hire 4-3-3 manager who's "up there with Pep"
Tottenham’s new manager is already under intense pressure.
Gayle no-show Chris Gayle will miss the Kolkata Knightriders’ first home game, against the Deccan Chargers this Sunday. He did not leave for India on Friday as he was scheduled to, owing to a groin injury, and is expected to be out of action for a fortnight, according to the team spokesman. Though he will miss the first few games, Gayle is expected stay on, along with Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan, till the end of the tournament despite Australia’s tour of West Indies clashing with the IPL.Ranji Mumbai Indians The Mumbai Indians have recruited several former Ranji players as support staff for the team. While former Test wicketkeeper Sameer Dighe is their fielding coach, Mumbai batsman Atul Bedade is the travel manager and former Indian left-arm spinner Rahul Sanghvi is their team manager. Apart from them, Subroto Banerjee, a medium-pacer who played one Test for India before moving to New South Wales, has been called in as Mumbai’s bowling coach. Banerjee is a Level II coach and plays grade cricket in Sydney.Bravo in for Malinga Dwayne Bravo, the West Indies allrounder, will be joining the Mumbai Indians squad to replace the injured Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga. Lalchand Rajput, Mumbai’s coach, confirmed that Bravo was the unanimous choice of the “few” names discussed by the team think-tank. Malinga, recovering from a knee injury that he picked during the CB Series in Australia, and, had to miss the Caribbean tour but was confident last week he would be fit to join the Mumbai squad. But Rajput said “we got a report that his recovery might take a further two to three weeks. So we decided to have a back-up”.
The Sri Lanka A squad for the tour of England starting in July is expected to be drawn from the squad of 19 players selected for training on February 21.Chandika Hathurusingha, the former Sri Lankan batsman who is currently coaching the Sri Lanka A side, said that the team comprising 16 players would be selected from the 19 already chosen for training, but added that it would probably include a few players from the national side who may not be needed for the home series against Bangladesh. Bangladesh is set to tour Sri Lanka from June 17 to July 25 to play in a series of three Tests and three one-day internationals.Of the 19 selected Malinda Warnapura, Ishara Amarasinghe and Kaushal Lokuarachchi were selected in the Sri Lanka team that recently went to Abu Dhabi to play in a three-match one-day series against Pakistan.The Sri Lanka A team’s tour of UK itinerary comprises nine matches, five of which are first-class games.The 19 picked for training are: Michael Vandort, Mahela Udawatte, Malinda Warnapura, Tilan Samaraweera, Jehan Mubarak, Thilina Kandamby, Kanchana Gunawardena, Kaushal Silva, Ishara Amarasinghe, Akalanka Ganegama, Sujeewa Silva, Dhammika Prasad, Tharanga Lakshitha, Chanaka Welagedera, Rangana Herath, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Dilruwan Perera, Ranga Dias and Gayan Wijekoon.The tour itinerary: July 10-12: v MCC at Arundel, July 14: v Worcestershire at New Road, July 16: v Kent at Canterbury, July 19-21: v Sussex at Hove, July 25-27: v Warwickshire at Edgbaston, July 29: v Lancashire at Liverpool (tbc), July 31-Aug 3: v Yorkshire at Headingley Carnegie, Aug 6: v Derbyshire at Derby, Aug 8-10: v Durham at Riverside.
Jayanda Dharmadasa, Sri Lanka Cricket’s chairman, has been strongly condemned by the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA) for using abusive language towards the Editor of the Lakbima newspaper during a recent press conference.Dharmadasa grew frustrated at Ranjan Paranavithana’s line of questioning during a media briefing designed to outline details relating to the 2011 World Cup bid and the ongoing affairs of the current interim committee. Dharmadasa referred to Paranavithana as a “drifting madman”.The SLWJA statement, which demands a full public apology, said: “Journalists have the right to question at all times and this has to be understood by the convenors. Persons who are not capable of facing questions from the press should not accept these high-ranking positions.”