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Saeed Ajmal, the Pakistan offspinner, is likely to miss the first Test against New Zealand in Hamilton, which starts on Friday, after returning home to attend the funeral of his father

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Jan-2011Saeed Ajmal, the Pakistan offspinner, is likely to miss the first Test against New Zealand in Hamilton, which starts on Friday, after returning home to attend the funeral of his father.The PCB said necessary arrangements had been made to facilitate Ajmal’s return to Pakistan after his father died on Tuesday. Ajmal played in Pakistan’s tour game against a New Zealand Cricket XI that ended on Tuesday, and did not bowl in the second innings of that game.”He is devastated by the sudden death of his father who expired after being taken to hospital, complaining of fever in the cold weather,” a board official said.Ajmal, who’s played nine of Pakistan’s 17 Tests since he made his debut in July 2009, was expected to be in the XI for the first match of the two-Test series. The only other spin option in the Pakistan squad is left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman.Pakistan have already made one change to their squad since they first announced it, bringing in seamer Sohail Tanvir after he was pronounced fit.The PCB also said it would announce the squad for the one-day series in New Zealand by next week.

A round-up of the fourth day of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Twenty20 tournament

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Oct-2010Srikkanth Anirudha’s aggressive 77 launched Tamil Nadu to a comfortable 65-run victory against Karnataka in Hyderabad. The win was Tamil Nadu’s fourth on the trot, confirming their progress to the knock-out phase.Asked to bat first, Tamil Nadu’s openers set the stage for a big score as Anirudha’s pyrotechnics were matched by G Vignesh who raced to 42 off 23 balls. Vignesh hit three sixes and five fours as he dominated a 60-run opening stand. Anirudha took over once Vignesh exited, smashing six sixes and four fours before he fell in the 17th over. Karnataka captain Sunil Joshi came unscathed through the carnage, with figures of 2 for 26 in his four overs, while medium-pacer B Akhil bled 67 runs in his spell – equalling the record for most runs conceded in a Twenty20 – as Tamil Nadu finished with 205 for 7.Karnataka lost ground early in the chase as the openers Manish Pandey and Mayank Agarwal fell for a combined contribution of one run. Following L Balaji’s miserly opening spell, Tamil Nadu’s seamers stuck to their task as Karnataka struggled to launch an offensive. Joshi was the only batsman to cross 30 after a shoddy top-order display as Tamil Nadu eased to another convincing win.T Suman’s opening blitz helped Hyderabad surge to 62 for 6 in a rain-reduced five-overs-a-side encounter, a score that they defended by 14 runs against Goa at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.Goa’s decision to field came unstuck against Suman’s fierce onslaught. He hit four sixes and two fours in the 16 balls he faced and scored 38 before falling in the final over from Sher Yadav. Hyderabad lost two more wickets and managed only five runs in that over, but that did not affect the final result.The second over of the chase from Pagadala Naidu pulled Goa back as he snared three wickets conceding just five runs. Sagun Kamat and Robin D’Souza were the only batsmen to cross double figures as Goa struggled to find the big hits. Amol Shinde sealed the result with a nerveless final over that yielded only five runs, leaving Goa well short.Andhra remained at the bottom of the table after their match against Kerala at the Gymkhana Ground was called off due to rain.

Afghanistan will soon get its first women’s national team which will participate in an international Twenty20 tournament organised by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) next year

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Nov-2010Afghanistan are set to get their first women’s national team, to participate in an international Twenty20 tournament organised by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) next year. Women have increasingly taken up careers in sport since the overthrow of the Taliban regime in 2001, and the tournament in Kuwait next year marks another step forward for Afghanistan cricket.More than 100 women play the game in Kabul and several have attended umpiring courses, and the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) plans to organise a local competition to shortlist players for the tournament. The team uniform will reportedly include a headscarf or hijab, as per Islamic tradition.”Women’s cricket provides an opportunity for Afghan young women to be fit and have healthier and more active lives,” Hamid Shinwari, the ACB chief executive, said. “The ACB has a strong commitment to developing the game for women in a way that is good for them and, at the same time, respects our Islamic and Afghan values.”Women’s cricket will build self-esteem, leadership and positive values for young women in our country, just as it is doing for young men.””This development is so exciting for our young women cricketers and their families and supporters,” Diana, the women’s cricket development officer at the ACB, said in a statement. “We love our country and hope to support it through our sport. Seeing a women’s cricket team in the Asian Cup will do so much to raise the hopes of many women here.”The men’s national team has made rapid strides, having qualifyied for the World Twenty20 in 2010 and gained ODI status.

Canada captain Ashish Bagai has said that his team can make it to the quarter-finals of the World Cup 2011

Cricinfo staff05-Sep-2010Canada captain Ashish Bagai has said his team can make it to the quarter-finals of the 2011 World Cup. “Our realistic aim is to get two wins in the first round against Kenya and Zimbabwe and we are really gunning for an upset in the other four games,” said Bagai. “If we get three wins then we have a chance of making it through to the quarter-finals and that is our goal. If you don’t have that goal then there is no point going to the World Cup,” he said.Bagai outlined two goals for Canada in the run-up to the World Cup. “The first one is to get individual skill levels and strategies worked out for every single player on the squad,” he said. “The second aim is for myself and the coaching staff to find a combination that is going to work well in those conditions and identify key roles for every player. We are still trying to find the perfect formula and that is hopefully going to be worked out in our trip to India later in the year and at a training camp in Dubai.”Bagai was confident of Canada’s prospects in the upcoming ODIs against Ireland on September 6 and 7 despite his side’s defeat against them in their recent Intercontinetal Cup fixture. “As a group we are pretty confident as although we lost the four-day game, our boys are more suited to the one-day form of the game,” he said.

Jesse Ryder has added another chapter to his troubled career after being fined for “intoxicated and rowdy” behaviour at a hotel

Cricinfo staff07-Aug-2010Jesse Ryder has added another chapter to his troubled career after being fined for “intoxicated and rowdy” behaviour at a hotel during an indoor cricket tournament in the first week of July. Ryder, who is currently out of the New Zealand side with an elbow injury, admitted to a serious misconduct charge but is expected to be available for the tour of Bangladesh in September.”I accept that being intoxicated and rowdy during the night put me in a position where I put New Zealand Cricket and my own reputation at risk and I accept this is not tolerable,” Ryder said in a letter to New Zealand Cricket. “The potential consequences of this event have distressed me over the last few weeks.”Ryder said he had apologised to the hotel for his behaviour after a noise complaint was lodged. He had been staying there with his indoor cricket team.”I have put a lot of time into working out a plan to prevent me being in this position again,” he said. “I am committed to making the right changes in my life as I really want a long career as a professional cricket player. I’ve had enough of getting into this sort of trouble and bringing attention to myself.”The most serious of Ryder’s indiscretions came in 2008 when he put his right hand through a glass window during a late-night session at a Christchurch bar. Early last year he gave up alcohol after another incident.”I know the changes I am making do not dismiss the misconduct issue, however I am fully committed to [New Zealand] and I am committed to doing what is necessary to be the best I can be,” he said. “I am grateful to NZC for sticking by me and I want to thank them by performing for many years to come.”Geoff Allott, NZC’s general manger of cricket, said the matter was viewed “very seriously”. “NZC is extremely disappointed in this breach of trust and protocol by Jesse,” he said. “We have seen some positive progress from Jesse in recent times, which makes this incident even more disappointing. Jesse has been fined in line with our serious misconduct provisions and clearly understands we will not tolerate a repetition of this type of behaviour.” He gave Ryder credit for letting NZC know about the incident.Allott told the that although NZC were aware of the incident before Ryder’s fitness test on July 21, which ruled him out of the Sri Lanka tri-series, the issue had “no influence on the decision to keep him back from Sri Lanka”.

Xavier Doherty’s sudden elevation to the Test squad will only turn into a trip to Brisbane if he can out-bowl Nathan Hauritz at the SCG

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Nov-2010Xavier Doherty’s sudden elevation to the Test squad will only turn into a trip to Brisbane if he can out-bowl Nathan Hauritz at the SCG this week. Doherty, the left-arm spinner, will go head-to-head with the incumbent Hauritz when Tasmania play New South Wales from Wednesday.Having gained a full-time spot in the Tigers’ line-up this season, Doherty jumped into a one-day debut two weeks ago. He is on the verge of another big leap after being picked in the huge 17-man squad for the opening Test, but has to make the final cut when the outfit is trimmed to 12 or 13.”I guess it’s probably come down to that given the fact that they will cut it back by the end of the week,” Doherty said in Sydney. “They are obviously looking at something this week, I guess this week’s performances probably won’t hurt too much.”Like most people, Doherty, 27, was surprised by the elevation. “I guess it wasn’t that long ago that I was not even carrying the drinks for Tassie,” he said. “It comes as a bit of a shock and it’s a nice shock.”Usman Khawaja was on the tour to England for the Pakistan Tests during the winter but didn’t get a game. It has made him even more desperate to play.”Just getting a baggy green one day would be a dream,” he said in Hobart. “I never try to put too much pressure on myself. If it is meant to happen it happens.”Khawaja will be jostling with Callum Ferguson and Steven Smith in Australia A’s match against England, although the tourists will have their four best bowlers preparing in Brisbane. Ferguson, who is back after a knee reconstruction, is in his first ODI squad after impressing in 26 ODIs.”After 11-and-a-half months of rehab, I really didn’t expect to be here right now,” Ferguson said. “There’s a lot of uncertainty when you hurt your knee like I did. I’m just thrilled to be back playing cricket.”Ryan Harris is battling a persistent knee injury and doesn’t expect to play at the Gabba, but he insists he’ll be ready when needed. “In all honesty I don’t think I’ll be included in that first Test,” he told AAP. “But if someone goes down and things change, I will be ready to go. That’s going to be my role – to be ready if anything goes wrong.”Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, said Phillip Hughes was disappointed to miss out, but the team did not need cover for the openers Simon Katich and Shane Watson. “We would consider him in a middle-order position,” Hilditch said, “but at the moment we think the two young players from Australia A we picked are in a bit better form and ready to go.”

Everton have been adding players to their squad this week, with two new signings made in the January transfer window so far.

However, when it comes to outgoings, speculation has been mounting amid a feud at the club, and Rafael Benitez has been addressing rumours today.

What’s the word?

The Everton manager didn’t hold back in his FA Cup pre-match conference this afternoon when it came to talking about a particularly sensitive subject which has been a hot topic of conversation over the last month.

Benitez ranted to the media about the rumoured exit of Toffees left back Lucas Digne and his perspective of the situation, namechecking Everton legend Peter Reid as he responded to questions.

He stated: “I think it was very clear. I want to ask the question to every fan and former players – what Peter Reid will do and say when a players says he does not want to be there. It’s there, simple.

“A couple of conversations with (Digne), he told me what he thought. What do you expect the manager to do when the player is thinking about to leave? I will say again: the fans, former players. What will Peter Reid say if a player goes to the manager and says he does not want to be here?”

“I’m talking about myself also wanting everything from the players. When they do not do that, I can be upset.”

The manager’s passionate speech comes after an argument with the Toffees defender in training just over a month ago, and it has now escalated to Digne being linked with a move away and Benitez confirming in this conference that the player wants to leave Merseyside.

Fans will be gutted

Everton have been struggling to pick up results over the last few months, with just five league wins from the first half of the season, and losing a player as experienced as Digne is something that the fans will be gutted to see.

Some supporters have taken to social media platforms to express their disappointment at the France international being frozen out, with one fan tweeting: “It really is a shame to see Digne leave like this”

The defender has become a fan favourite at the club after offering 126 appearances, six goals and 20 assists for the Toffees during his three-and-a-half years with the Merseyside club, and it seems a real shame for the Goodison Park faithful that the situation had deteriorated to this extent.

Digne did make the bench for the first time in a month last week, but it will be interesting to see if Benitez puts aside his tumultuous relationship with the left-back by naming him in the line-up for the FA Cup game against Hull City tomorrow evening, after a poor defensive performance in his absence against Brighton.

In other news – Imagine him and Doucoure: Benitez eyeing Everton swoop for £27m-rated “great talent”

David Hussey, the Australia and Victoria batsman, will lead Nottinghamshire in the Friends Provident Twenty20 competition this English domestic season

Cricinfo staff21-May-2010David Hussey, the Australia and Victoria batsman, will lead Nottinghamshire in the Friends Provident Twenty20 competition this English domestic season. Hussey is the club’s second overseas player, joining his Australia Twenty20 team-mate, left-arm fast bowler Dirk Nannes.Hussey will only lead the club during the Twenty20 tournament, while Chris Read will resume his duties as captain in the 40-over one-day competition and the County Championship.”Captaining in Twenty20 cricket can be very intense and I feel that it’s best for me and the team if I take a break and draw on David Hussey’s experience,” Read said. “David has an excellent record in this format and he’ll have his own ideas on how the team should approach matches that I’m sure we’ll all learn from.”He’ll have my full support and the support of every player in the dressing room.”Hussey has played 23 Twenty20 internationals for Australia, most recently in the ICC World Twenty20, and has scored 512 runs at 28.44. He starred for his team in the World Twenty20 final against England, making 59 to help Australia recover to a competitive score after a poor start, but one they failed to defend.

The January transfer window is coming to a close and a big Rangers claim has emerged as they potentially look to add to their squad…

What’s the talk?

Transfer insider Dean Jones has revealed that the Gers are looking to sign a centre-back from an English Premier League club before the end of the month.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “Rangers are interested in Dan Quick from Crystal Palace on a permanent deal, but there are others trying to sign him too, including Leicester, Southampton, Dortmund and PSV.”

Excitement

This update will surely leave Giovanni van Bronckhorst feeling excited for several reasons.

Firstly, it shows that they are competing with some top clubs to bring him in, with Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund and 2016 Premier League winners Leicester also in the running. It suggests that Ross Wilson is identifying talented players as he is looking to sign prospects who are wanted by other top European outfits.

Van Bronckhorst will also be excited by the prospect of having a young centre-back with whom to work. He could mould him into the perfect defender for the system he wants to play, with a view to him replacing a current first-team stalwart in the future.

Having a player in the academy who could slot straight into the first team further down the line if needed could alleviate the stress of needing to dip into the transfer market to find a replacement if a player is sold. For example, if Calvin Bassey is sold to a Premier League team in 18 months’ time, Quick could then step into his place in the XI if he is able to fulfill his potential.

The 19-year-old has played 22 times for Palace at under-18 level and four times for the under-23s, scoring three goals and providing two assists from centre-back. Whilst this is not an abundance of data from which to judge him, it does suggest that he excelled sufficiently for the under-18s to earn a step-up to the under-23s.

In his one appearance in the EFL Trophy this season, he recorded an excellent SofaScore rating of 7.50 against Portsmouth’s senior side. He made three tackles, five clearances and two interceptions that night, whilst completing 80% of his attempted passes and creating one chance, as per SofaScore.

This suggests that he is capable of delivering solid defensive displays whilst also using the ball efficiently in possession. Quick could therefore suit Rangers, as they average 63.6% possession per game in the Premiership and need players who are comfortable on the ball, as the Palace youngster appears to be.

AND in other news, “Monitoring”: Journalist delivers key Rangers transfer update which Van Bronckhorst will love…

Celtic still have the small matter of potentially securing the SPFL title this season before they can be once again let loose in the upcoming summer transfer market.

However, it seems as though an early clue has emerged over one potential deal that could take place at Parkhead that will surely delight a lot of Celtic supporters.

What’s the word?

Speaking in one of his latest YouTube videos, Tottenham Hotspur journalist Alasdair Gold had this to say about the possibility of Cameron Carter-Vickers signing a permanent deal with the Hoops in the summer.

He said: “Perhaps the forgotten man in Tottenham’s defence, he’s gone to Celtic and he’s smashed it, honestly. He’s likely to go there, £6m deal, rising to £10m if all other objectives are met.”

Fans will be delighted

Since arriving at the Parkhead club during the previous summer transfer window on loan from the north London club, the defender has been a key figure for Ange Postecoglou this season.

Described as “immense” by pundit Chris Sutton and “huge” by Greg Taylor, he’d certainly be an exciting acquisition given his displays so far this term.

With 41 appearances across all competitions for the Hoops under his belt, the centre-back has chipped in with four goals and one assist, all of which have come in the league.

As well as his usefulness in front of goal, the 24-year-old has been a rock at the back for the Hoops.

Having played in 28 league games, the American has racked up 19 tackles as well as the joint-highest number of interceptions (37) as well as a higher average of clearances per game (4.2) than any other Celtic player.

In addition to keeping a clean sheet in his latest appearance for the Hoops in their 2-0 win over Ross County at the weekend, Carter-Vickers managed to once again show what a pivotal figure he is for the team.

Throughout the 90 minutes, the defender made five clearances and won six of the seven duels he was involved in, ultimately earning himself a solid match rating of 7.3/10 from SofaScore.

Taking all of this into account, it’s safe to say that the on-loan defender has played a big part in Celtic’s season and their impressive defensive record.

With Gold’s claim that a permanent deal is likely to take place in the summer, this will undoubtedly be great news for Postecoglou. To put things simply, this signing would certainly raise the roof at Parkhead; he is that vital to their cause.

In other news: Sold for £2m, now worth £540k: Celtic struck gold on £17k-p/w dud who “had issues”