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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”.

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.

Ian Bell’s classy 138 wrestled England a narrow advantage in the second Test after Bangladesh’s hopes were deflated by poor umpiring decisions and gritty batting

The Bulletin by Sahil Dutta22-Mar-2010
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsIan Bell batted serenely to reach his 10th Test hundred•Getty ImagesIan Bell’s classy 138 wrestled England a narrow advantage in the second Test after Bangladesh’s hopes were deflated by poor umpiring decisions and gritty batting. Bell was supported by a fluent 62 from Matt Prior and a battling 76 from Tim Bresnan who batted through the final two sessions to remain unbeaten at the close.What ended a lacklustre day started with real tension when Jonathan Trott was dismissed in the third over. His torturous effort last night heaped pressure on his batting partners but he was unlucky to be out to a ball that trickled back off his forearm on to off stump. It was an important strike and left England teetering on the brink of embarrassment until Bell revived their hopes.Watchful but untroubled throughout he has transformed his reputation as a soft-centred scorer of easy runs to one of England’s steeliest batsmen this winter. His 10th Test hundred is the first time he has passed three figures without a team-mate doing the same before him in the innings and is a mark of how far he has come since being dropped after England’s 54-all-out calamity in Jamaica last year. Dripping with talent he feathered the ball around the ground at will, reaching three figures in typically deft style, gliding Rubel Hossain for four behind point.Bell’s average against Bangladesh continues to be stratospheric, although plummeted to a mere 244 when he was finally dismissed for 138. Unlike his runs in the first Test this innings was crucial, guiding England out of trouble and setting up a chance of victory. It’s the style of knock that makes him appear like a natural No. 3, a hole the selectors have longingly looked at Bell to fill, but given his success down the order they will be reluctant to tamper.It could have all been different for Bangladesh had they not been denied three decisions at crucial moments. With Shakib Al Hassan asphyxiating England at one end and Rubel finding incisive reverse-swing at the other, Prior was on 7 when Rubel snaked one into his pads and trapped him bang in front. However, Tony Hill thought otherwise and Prior made it count.After struggling for runs early on the second new ball broke the shackles and Prior went on to share an enterprising 98-run stand with Bell. Shakib, much like his opposite number, has made some curious decisions through the series. He virtually ignored his two offspinners, Naeem Islam and Mahmudullah, instead stubbornly sticking to Abdul Razzak’s innocuous left-arm spin. Razzak was poor on the second day but was again given the new ball. He repeatedly erred in length and line and allowed Prior to canter his way to an 83-ball fifty.It was only a rash swipe from Prior, looking for a third boundary in an over over off Shakib, that allowed Bangladesh a glimpse at a first-innings lead as they saw Bresnan wondering out at No. 7 ahead of Graeme Swann and Stuart Broad with the deficit still 147. Bresnan should have departed on 5 when Shakib found an inside edge that popped up off the pad to silly point, yet once more the decision was turned down and the home side never really recovered.Across the two Tests and the earlier one-day series Bangladesh have endured the worst of the decisions. It’s difficult for a side used to losing to see opportunities denied and it was no surprise when, seeing the chance of a rare win disappearing, Jamie Siddons, the Bangladesh coach, grow increasingly agitated. Firstly he charged into the umpires’ room and later, when an lbw appeal against Bell was turned out, he was seen gesticulating at the boundary edge. It was the kind of passion that David Lloyd used to show in his time as England coach and Siddons’ frustration was understandable.Bangladesh really flagged as the day wore on, revealing their inexperience as the fielding descended into farce at times and the intent all but disappearing. Bresnan picked off the runs that were available on a pitch designed for utter tedium. He’ll make harder Test runs but a maiden fifty, coming at a time England needed them will be a useful nudge to the selectors when Ashes fever heats up later in the year.Bangladesh showed more heart in the final session with Rubel, in particular, running in hard in unforgiving conditions. England once again favoured caution over adventure, working the ball around and being content to drift along without showing the flair needed to be ruthless. Shakib toiled all day, recalling yesteryear with 27 maidens, and was rewarded when Bell skied a slog-sweep to midwicket.Shortly before the close, Bangladesh finally had some luck when Bresnan drilled a drive back at Shakib, who deflected it onto the stumps to run out Graeme Swann at the non-striker’s end and Broad was out lbw to the underused Mahmudullah. Bresnan ended 26 short of a maiden hundred and England will need to extend their narrow to give themselves before trying to extract Bangladesh for a second time on this very docile surface and, once again, there will be a huge onus on Swann.

William Porterfield will make his 100th appearance for Ireland in Thursday’s one-day international against the West Indies in Jamaica

Cricinfo staff14-Apr-2010William Porterfield will make his 100th appearance for Ireland in Thursday’s one-day international against West Indies in Jamaica.Porterfield, the Ireland captain, will have fond memories of the Sabina Park ground after playing there when Ireland inflicted a shock defeat over Pakistan in the 2007 World Cup.Thursday’s game is part of Ireland’s preparations for the World Twenty20, which starts at the end of April in the Caribbean. “It’d be a perfect way to celebrate my 100th cap to get a win over West Indies,” said Porterfield. “Sabina Park has great memories for us – the dramatic tie with Zimbabwe and the win over Pakistan.”He will become the 11th player to play 100 matches for Ireland but will want a better return from his side than last Sunday, when poor batting meant they suffered a 31-run defeat in a Twenty20 match against West Indies.”We were in a great position against them on Sunday, but let it slide,” he said. “Our bowlers are hitting their strides, and Trent Johnston in particular has been exceptional. It’s up to the batsmen to come to the party now.”

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”

Zimbabwe A may have messed up on their first match of the Emerging Nations tournament, against Denmark in Harare, but they would have been quite humiliated without a fighting innings of 64 by their number four batsman Dion Ebrahim

John Ward25-Dec-2009Zimbabwe A may have messed up on their first match of the Emerging Nations tournament, against Denmark in Harare, but they would have been quite humiliated without a fighting innings of 64 by their number four batsman Dion Ebrahim. Here he talks to John Ward about that match.JW: First of all, Dion, can you describe the match conditions, please.DE: The pitch was fairly bouncy; it gave a lot of steep bounce, and the Danish bowlers used that very well, with a good high action. They moved the ball around well and I think that’s what got our batsmen into a bit of trouble.JW: What was the situation when you went in to bat?DE: We were one run for the loss of two wickets, in the first over.JW: So what was your game plan as you went in to bat?DE: My main aim was just to stay there. Runs weren’t the biggest issue as we had just lost two quick wickets. I just had to stay there, steady the ship and try to calm things down. It got worse and worse with more and more batsmen dropping, so I started very slowly.JW: Did you find it difficult batting out there?DE: I did, with the variable and steep bounce, together with the changes of pace the bowlers used.JW: Did the pitch change as the match went on?DE: Yes, it got less bounce and flattened out towards the end.JW: Which bowlers did you find the most difficult?DE: Their opening left-arm bowler, Thomas Hansen. He varied his pace well and he managed to make the most of the steep bounce because of his height. I think he put all of our batsmen under pressure, in trouble.JW: How did you manage with the others?DE: I coped with the others fairly well, didn’t take any risks. He was the main bowler, and our plan was just to see him through and then pick off the other guys.JW: When did you finally find a partner to stay with you?DE: I got a lot of assistance from Dave Mutendera and Warren Gilmour. I;m not sure how many our partnerships were worth, but they were the steadiest.JW: Did you find the pressure on you seemed to relax as time went on.DE: I felt I was relaxing more towards the end and actually enjoying the challenge. It’s about the third time it’s happened to me, batting at four and coming in in the first over and wickets dropping around me.JW: What shots do you remember the best?DE: There weren’t too many of them; to be honest I can’t remember. I do remember getting my fifty up, a leg glide off a short ball.JW: You did seem to enjoy a couple of narrow escapes during your innings.DE: Well, I felt I needed to get a few more runs on the board. Wickets were dropping so fast that I could see a situation to come where we were left with one wicket in hand and not many runs on the board, so I did occasionally take the initiative and went for some risky shots.JW: How were you out in the end?DE: Caught midwicket, sweeping their left-arm spinner.JW: Fortunately our later batsmen came in and got us some good runs.DE: It’s unfortunate that our top order didn’t do too well.JW: We would have been in a sorry state without your innings, though. Can you go over the Denmark innings now?DE: I think we played well, given that we were a bit unfortunate with some chances not going to hand or going to ground. I did feel that we underestimated them.JW: Do you think perhaps our players were a bit over-confident.DE: Maybe. Maybe, I’m not quite sure.JW: Which of the Danish batsmen impressed you the most?DE: Their opener Pedersen who got a fifty, but then gave it away. He was very strong on the off side.JW: What were relationships like on the field between our team and the Danish players?DE: Very friendly. They were competitive but friendly.JW: What is your overall impression of the Danish team, compared with, say, a Zimbabwe first-league club side?DE: I’d say they would be stronger than a first-league side. They’re strong competitors as well.

A round-up of the playoff matches of the Under-19 World Cup that took place on January 26

Cricinfo staff26-Jan-2010New Zealand prevailed in a close encounter in the play-off for seventh place against England, winning by two wickets in the final over at the Village Green in Christchurch. Chasing 229, the hosts were in trouble at 153 for 7 but Logan van Beek’s unbeaten 51 off 46 balls saw them through those tense moments. Several England batsmen failed to convert their starts but they still managed a competitive total. Jack Manuel was the top scorer with 43. Harry Boam, Tim Johnston and Ben Wheeler took three wickets apiece. New Zealand were jolted early in their chase at 37 for 3 before Craig Cachopa and Corey Anderson added 100 for the fourth wicket. But a double-strike by Nathan Buck and a run out set New Zealand back. van Beek and Boam, batting at No.9, ensured a consolation win for the hosts.Noor Hossain’s all-round performance was the highlight of a one-sided encounter in the ninth place play-off semi-final between Bangladesh and Papua New Guinea at Palmerston North. Noor made a brisk 66 to push Bangladesh to 253 and later took four wickets to bundle out PNG for a paltry 85. After opting to bat, Bangladesh were led by Saikat Ali’s 61 but were in a spot of bother at 125 for 6. Tasamul Haq and Noor began the lower-order revival with a stand of 80 for the seventh wicket. Noor hit eight fours and a six in his brisk knock which came off 50 balls. It was a cakewalk when Bangladesh took the field, bundling out PNG within 33 overs. Only four batsmen managed double figures and Noor cleaned up the lower order to finish with 4 for 11.

According to Calciomercato, there has been an update on the future of AC Milan captain Alessio Romagnoli and it involves Tottenham Hotspur.

The Lowdown: Conte eyeing Serie A swoops…

One of the recurring themes of new manager Antonio Conte’s time at Spurs so far is the repeated links to some of Italian football’s biggest names.

Indeed, Calciomercato recently claimed that the 52-year-old could target as many as six Serie A players in Federico Chiesa, Matthijs de Ligt, Stefan de Vrij, Marcelo Brozovic, Vlahovic and Romagnoli.

Another San Siro star in Franck Kessie has also been repeatedly linked with Tottenham as both Rudy Galetti and La Gazzetta (via Get Italian Football News) drop suggestions of a very advanced move.

The topic of this report is Romagnoli, however, as Calciomercato bring news on Spurs’ pursuit of the player after TuttoJuve24 claimed Conte is ‘ready’ to take him ‘immediately’.

The Latest: Romagnoli has ‘proposal’ from Tottenham…

As well as the majority of Tottenham’s targets being from Serie A, a number of them could also leave for free in the summer of 2022. Indeed, the likes of Brozovic, Kessie and Romagnoli all currently have deals which expire at the end of this season and are free to negotiate pre-contract terms with other clubs in January.

According to Calciomercato, the Milan defender has ‘many proposals’ on the table, including from Juventus and Spurs as both clubs endanger the Rossoneri’s chances of agreeing fresh terms with their captain.

The Verdict: Astute option?

If Tottenham can secure an agreement to sign Romagnoli for free next summer, or even for a cut-price fee in January, we believe he could be an astute purchase to partner Cristian Romero.

The 26-year-old, who would come with a longer shelf life than fellow centre-back targets like De Vrij, stands out as a composed and assured figure in central defence.

So far this season, Romagnoli has averaged a higher pass accuracy than any Tottenham defender, with teammate Fikayo Tomori also labelling him a ‘great champion’ alongside teammate Simon Kjaer (Corriere dello Sport via milannews.it).

With the player earning a reported £106,000 per week, Spurs managing director Fabio Paratici wouldn’t exactly have to break the bank with Romangnoli’s salary demands either, given that a fee around that amount should be more than attainable.

The 6 foot 2 powerhouse may well bolster Conte’s backline as he aims to bring glory back to N17.

In other news: Spurs now close to signing ‘monster’ player as Conte seeks to solve severe problem, find out more here.

Rangers manager Gio van Bronckhorst will be unveiled at Ibrox for the first time on Thursday as he prepares for his first match in charge of the club.

The Gers are set to face Sparta Prague in their fifth group stage game in the Europa League. They lost 1-0 to them in the reverse fixture and a win would send them up into second place in the group.

Forget Roofe

FFC published an article explaining why Alfredo Morelos should be axed from the XI for this game. This would leave the number nine position vacant, with Kemar Roofe and Fashion Sakala competing to be named in the team from the start.

Van Bronckhorst should forget about the former Leeds United man, who is a minor injury doubt, for now and unleash Sakala against the Czech outfit tonight. He came off the bench against Hibernian and should now be given the chance to show what he can do from the start.

The 24-year-old is coming off the back of a sensational international break where he scored four goals in two games for Zambia. He has now scored seven times in his last six appearances for club and country, having also bagged a hat-trick for Rangers against Motherwell at the end of October.

This shows that the £8.3k-per-week gem has the ability to be a match-winner for van Bronckhorst as he has been consistently finding the back of the net of late. Goals win games and Sakala could potentially win the match for Rangers if he starts against Sparta, given his recent record.

Ex-Gers boss Steven Gerrard once hailed the forward as an ‘incredible’ person and praised his quality in training for the club. He said:

“He’s an incredible human being. The way he has come into the club, his smile and demeanour, his attitude and energy, has lifted the whole place. The signs are he is really starting to find his feet here at Rangers. He is a really exciting one for everyone to watch moving forward.

“There will be plenty of opportunities for Fashion, not just in Europe but domestically as well. We are really starting to see his strengths, his consistency from a training point of view.”

These comments suggest that he has the attitude and mentality to thrive at Rangers and is willing to put his head down and work hard for the team. This should be encouraging to van Bronckhorst as he will surely want his players to put the hard yards in against Sparta to impress him in his first game.

AND in other news, 129 appearances: Rangers secured dream deal with £0 gem who “embodies professionalism”…