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Pakistani first-class cricketer Nauman Habib has died in Peshawar, reportedly a victim of murder

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Oct-2011Pakistani first-class cricketer Nauman Habib has died in Peshawar, reportedly a victim of murder. Habib, 32, had gone missing on October 9 after leaving his house in Hayatabad, Peshawar, for a nearby gym; his body was found near his house on October 11. Habib had been playing for Peshawar against Multan from October 6-8 in the first round of this season’s Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and had taken seven wickets in the match.Habib, a right-arm seamer, played 63 first-class matches and 30 List A games. He had taken 221 first-class wickets at an average of 26.22, with nine five-wicket hauls; he took ten wickets in a match three times.

Australia cannot expect Shane Warne’s advice to magically solve Nathan Hauritz’s recent bowling problems, according to the coach Tim Nielsen

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Oct-2010Australia cannot expect Shane Warne’s advice to magically solve Nathan Hauritz’s recent bowling problems, according to the coach Tim Nielsen. Hauritz is likely to remain Australia’s No. 1 spinner for the Ashes but after taking six wickets at 65 in the recent Tests against India, he has some work to do.That could include sessions with Warne, who has offered his services to Hauritz ahead of Australia’s first home Ashes series since Warne’s retirement. Nielsen said while such tutoring could be useful, it was more important that Hauritz take on the responsibility of working out what he should change in order to trouble England’s batsmen.”He’s had some discussions with Warney in the past,” Nielsen told the Sydney Morning Herald. “If Warney is available and Haury would like to speak to him I can’t see any reason they wouldn’t have a chat. In the end, that’s a great little resource to utilise, but it’s more important that Haury identifies the things he needs to improve and we identify as a team the things we need to improve, and go about fixing them.”We can’t expect someone to come in and fix the ills of the game for us. It’s about us saying ‘yes, I need to get better at this’, and working our backsides off at training and preparation to make sure we’ve nailed those skills. It’d be great to have people like Warne offering advice but in the end it comes back to us.”The main competition for Hauritz in the immediate future is set to come from the legspinning allrounder Steven Smith, who made a promising start to his Test career against Pakistan this year. The former spinners Ashley Mallett and Ray Bright would like to see Smith in the Test side, although alongside Hauritz rather than in his place.Smith’s batting makes him an attractive all-round option and although Ricky Ponting is not keen on the idea yet, one possible role could be for Smith to bat at No. 6 and become the second spinner. But Smith, who was in the Test squad in India and remains there for the ODI series, believes his Test hopes for the time being will rest on his bowling.”I’d like to become a genuine allrounder down the track so scoring runs whenever I can is going to be good for me to get my best foot forward,” Smith told reporters in India. “Something I want to do is bat in the top six at some point. But at the moment it’s probably going to be my spin that’ll give me a game.”

Michael Ball fears speculation that Rafa Benitez is looking to sign a new striker could mean Dominic Calvert-Lewin or Richarlison are heading for the Everton exit door.

Benitez was appointed as Carlo Ancelotti’s successor last month after the Toffees saw the Italian quit Goodison Park in favour of a return to Real Madrid.

Everton missed out on qualifying for European football after finishing 10th in the Premier League standings and it has been touted that Ancelotti would be interested in taking Calvert-Lewin to the Bernabeu in a £50million switch.

Richarlison, who missed out on Copa America glory after Brazil suffered a defeat to Argentina in the final earlier this month, also has suitors after scoring 13 goals last term.

Reports suggest Real Madrid have already made contact with the striker as they look to seal a deal.

The Toffees have been linked with making a move for the likes of Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham, but ex-Everton left-back Ball would prefer see Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison remain at the club.

Ball exclusively told Football FanCast: “The speculation does concern me. We’ve been linked with a lot of strikers but we’d like to keep our best players and then add one or two.

“There are a lot of fringe players on big wages so it’s always going to be difficult for Everton to move those players on. Sometimes the easy way to bring pennies into the football club is by selling your big guy. That would bring two or three players in. It’s a balancing act.”

Manchester City have agreed to sign Leeds United’s young winger Brooklyn Nfonkeu, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Academy’s impressive 12 months

It’s been an impressive 12 months for the Whites when it comes to their academy.

They were awarded Category One status last summer and brought in the likes of Cody Drameh from Fulham, Joe Gelhardt from Wigan and Sam Greenwood from Arsenal, all of whom played a key role in the club’s Premier League 2 Division Two triumph last season.

Leeds have strengthened further this summer, signing Sean McGurk from Wigan and Lewis Bate from Chelsea, however, it seems as if one youngster looks set to leave Elland Road.

The Latest: Nfonkeu exit

According to Football Insider, who were informed by a City source, the Premier League champions have agreed terms with Nfonkeu ahead of an academy transfer.

The report claims City moved for the Leeds forward after being impressed in youth matches, with Nfonkeu, who most recently played for the Under-15’s, set to depart after three-and-a-half years on the books at Elland Road.

The Verdict: Leeds will move on

Although Nfonkeu was never at the stage of breaking into the club’s Under-23 side, he’s clearly got bundles of talent for Manchester City to show a strong interest.

The Whites have gone from strength to strength in regards to their academy in such a short space of time, so even though it could be a blow to lose Nfonkeu in the long run, we’re sure the club won’t dwell on a deal for too long at this moment in time.

In fact, given their activity in the market recently with the acquisitions of McGurk and Bate, perhaps this will only spur more exciting signings if they opt to find a like for like replacement for the departing talent.

In other news: Leeds youngster on trial with League One club, find out more here. 

A haul of five for 28 by left-arm spinner Inder Shekar Reddy helped Hyderabad coast to a four-wicket win over Karnataka in their low-scoring Ranji South Zone one-day encounter at Bangalore on Saturday

Staff Reporter08-Dec-2002A haul of five for 28 by left-arm spinner Inder Shekar Reddy helped Hyderabad coast to a four-wicket win over Karnataka in their low-scoring Ranji South Zone one-day encounter at Bangalore on Saturday.Karnataka started shakily, losing their first five wickets for only 49 runs. A mini-stand of 52 between B Akhil and Sunil Joshi came apart at Reddy’s insistence in the 29th over, and from there, wickets tumbled to find Karnataka all out in 35 overs for just 120. Hyderabad experienced a few hiccups in their chase, finding themselves at 52 for five before D Vinay Kumar hit an unbeaten 45 to guide his side home in 37 overs.Tamil Nadu romp home by six wicketsAfter overnight rain reduced the Tamil Nadu-Goa South Zone Ranji one-day tie to 38-overs-a-side, Goa produced a shambles of a batting display that saw them lose the game by six wickets and virtually gift Tamil Nadu five points.Although opener SK Kamat made a steady 40, none of the other batsmen could cross even 20, and tight bowling from Tamil Nadu bowlers – L Balaji in particular – saw them bowled out for 152 in 36.2 overs. Tamil Nadu’s strong batting was never likely to stumble, and Hemang Badani made an unbeaten 33 off as many balls to see his side to a win in just 27.2 overs.Sunil Oasis 99 sees Kerala trounce Andhra PradeshSunil Oasis was stranded on 99 not out as Kerala waltzed to a six-wicket win over Andhra Pradesh, chasing down the target of 232 in 37.2 overs after overnight rain curtailed the game to 40 overs a side.Andhra Pradesh made it to 231 for six largely on the back of AS Pathak’s 64 off 71 balls (11×4) and Y Venugopal Rao’s 55 (51b, 3×4, 2×6). But it did not prove to be enough as Kerala, after reeling slightly at 49 for three, recovered with the help of Oasis and AN Kudua. Oasis’ 99 came off 85 balls (11×4, 2×6), while Kudua made 45 off 43 balls.

MatériaMais Notícias

Titular na vitória do Flamengo sobre o Resende no último sábado, o lateral-direito Rodinei revelou ter gostado de sua atuação e na mira por uma vaga no time titular espera ter agradado Zé Ricardo. Hoje, quem é o dono da posição é Pará.

– Fiquei satisfeito com minha atuação. Foi um jogo muito truncado. Mas é sempre bom por dúvidas na cabeça do professor – disse Rodinei após a vitória do Flamengo de 1 a 0 sobre o Resende.

Rodinei ainda aproveitou para lembrar aos adversários que o Flamengo está bem e vivo em todas as competições que disputa em 2017. Camisa 2 lamentou apenas as oportunidades perdidas no Chile.

– Futebol é muito bom por causa disso. Perdemos no Chile, jogamos melhor que o time da Universidad Católica. Tivemos oportunidade de mostrar que hoje o Flamengo está vivo na Taça Rio e na Libertadores.

Everton’s Moise Kean is a potential target for Juventus this summer as they look to recruit a centre-forward, according to Italian outlet Tuttosport.

The lowdown

He joined Juventus at the age of just 10 and moved to Everton in an initial £25.1m deal (via BBC Sport) shortly after his first team breakthrough, having scored eight goals in 21 appearances as a teenager in Turin.

However, after being limited to a mere six Premier League starts in his first season on Merseyside, Kean was granted a loan to move Paris Saint-Germain. He rediscovered his form in France, netting 17 times in 35 appearances across Ligue 1 and the Champions League.

According to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, PSG have been working for ‘months’ to bring the 21-year-old back on loan. They are said to be waiting on a decision from Everton and their new manager Rafael Benitez.

The latest

For now, ‘the most attractive’ option for Juventus is Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus, who is ‘potentially available’ for transfer, although the Old Lady have drawn up an extensive list of alternatives.

That list includes former Inter marksman Mauro Icardi, Fiorentina’s Dusan Vlahovic, Marseille’s Arkadiusz Milik and Euro 2020 winner Andrea Belotti. [Tuttosport]

Kean is another candidate named, tipped for a possible ‘comeback’ to Turin after two years away.

The verdict

In Kean’s absence, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has demonstrated that he can lead the line for Everton with aplomb, scoring 21 goals in all competitions last season.

Unless Rafael Benitez intends to play two up front, it makes sense to accept that the move for the Italian hasn’t worked out and cash in on him. Everton may actually be able to turn a profit, with Kean having reminded the footballing world of his ability in Paris.

If the Blues are to sanction yet another loan, to either PSG or Juventus, it should be one which includes an obligation to buy come next year.

In other news, many Everton fans are begging for this signing after links emerged. 

Sensible batting from Keith Parsons and Mike Burns saw Somerset Sabres to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Leicestershire Foxes in their Norwich Union League Division One clash at the Bath Recreation Ground.The Sabres appeared to be wobbling in pursuit of their target of just 148 when they lost their third wicket on 33, with Holloway unlucky to play-on to Matthew Whiley. But an unbroken stand of 115 between Parsons and Burns saw Somerset home with more than 12 overs to spare, and to a first win of the season in this competition.It was a good all-round performance from Parsons. He may not be the most glamorous cricketer on the circuit, but he wobbled the ball around in helpful conditions and batted with great common sense and more than a little skill to deny the Foxes. He hit two big sixes – one hook off DeFreitas clearing the hospitality tents on its way out of this beautiful ground – and another over long-on off Crowe.Stand-in captain, Mike Burns, who struck seven fours in his 54, provided solid support.Leicestershire must be heartily sick of the sight of Parsons. It was his all-round display that was pivotal in Somerset clinching the C&G trophy against the same opposition at the end of last season, and here he settled the hosts’ nerves with bat and ball when they had appeared to be under pressure.Earlier the Sabres had limited the Foxes to a modest looking 147 all out. Only Trevor Ward had flourished on a pitch on which run scoring was never easy, hitting 11 boundaries in his 64-ball stay. But his team-mates could only muster another five between them as the Somerset bowlers made intelligent use of overcast conditions.Missing captain, Jamie Cox, with a thumb injury, the Sabres were boosted by the return of Richard Johnson and Steffan Jones, giving their attack more of an edge than it had previously possessed.Johnson struck twice in his opening spell, trapping Iain Sutcliffe and Darren Stevens leg before, after Foxes’ skipper, Vince Wells, had won the toss and elected to bat.But Flower helped Ward add 45 for the fourth wicket, with Ward taking full advantage of Simon Francis’ inability to find the correct length, driving him through the covers on several occasions, and pulling fiercely when the bowler over compensated.At 83-2 the visitors were well placed, but Keith Parsons struck to part the pair before Jones ended Ward’s fun, finding a thin edge that was gratefully received by Robbie Turner, standing up to the wicket. None of the other batsmen ever threatened to prosper.The Sabres fielded well. Dutch took a wonderful diving catch to dismiss the dangerous DeFreitas, while Ian Blackwell clung on to a difficult one on the long-off fence that would otherwise have gone for six.It was a good win for a Sabres side short of its three best players – Trescothick, Caddick and Cox. They climb level on points with the Foxes and have given themselves a platform on which to build. On this form they may prove a challenge for most teams.

Celtic are prepared to pay up to £8m for Sheffield United right-back George Baldock this summer, according to The Star.

The Lowdown: Hoops’ long-standing interest

The Hoops have had Baldock on their radar for some time. He was first linked with a move to Parkhead back in 2019, however, he remained in Yorkshire and has been a Premier League regular since.

Unfortunately, Baldock and the Blades were relegated last season, and with Celtic after a right-back following Jeremie Frimpong and Hatem Elhamed’s permanent exits earlier this year, it seems as if Baldock is once again back on the club’s shortlist.

The Latest: Celtic willing to spend big

According to The Star, who have been informed by sources north of the border, Celtic are prepared to pay between £5m and £8m for the defender, who former Hoops rival Alan Hutton believes has ‘got it all’.

However, the report claims that fee would fall well short of the Blades’ valuation, although the Hoops believe a compromise could be reached.

Should Celtic seal a deal at £8m, that would make Baldock the club’s fourth most expensive signing of all-time behind John Hartson, Chris Sutton and Odsonne Edouard.

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The Verdict: Is Baldock worth £8m?

Sheffield United seem to want more than £8m for Baldock’s services, but Celtic shouldn’t pay any more than that for his signature.

The 28-year-old has just 12 months left on his Bramall Lane deal, so technically, the Hoops could wait until January ahead of a potential pre-contract agreement.

As we know, Celtic need right-back additions, but Baldock’s Transfermarkt valuation stands at £4.5m, so perhaps they could have a real chance of landing the defender in their price range reported.

The Yorkshire outfit may well realise Celtic are in desperate need of a right-back, but the Hoops shouldn’t bow to United’s demands over the coming months.

In other news: Martin O’Neill interested in Celtic return, find out more here. 

Bowlers wanting to bowl into the teeth of Wellington’s wind?Now that’s a new one. As observers caught watching firstly England, then New Zealand, practise on the wind swept Basin Reserve today, two days out from the second National Bank Series match, will tell you, there are winds, and there are Wellington winds.But England captain Nasser Hussain believes there may be no shortage of volunteers for the into-the-wind duties.”We will need an into-the-wind bowler possibly, although that might be the end to bowl with the prevailing wind. If it comes from there it might swing away.”It’s funny with the wind, at the beginning of the last Test match everyone wanted to bowl at one particular end and then people swing it into the wind a little bit more and everyone wants to bowl at that end,” he said.”A Test match varies, from day to day and which end people want to bowl.”Just what the make-up of England’s side would be on this occasion would depend on how the wicket looked closer to the match start time.”The wicket has got a lot of time before it will be ready.”It looks a bit more traditional soil where it might do a little bit to start with and it might turn a little bit at the end, that’s normal cricket,” he said.England would be looking to lift its game from its success in the first Test.They now had to do what they did in Christchurch, which was getting the greater amount of runs on the board in the first innings, pitching the ball up and swinging it, and then, when it gets a little flatter hitting the deck in the manner of Andy Caddick while also having the middle-order score more runs later on.”They’re the same basics from every Test match really.”It’s just a case now of adapting to conditions and that is what my team talk will be based around, and never taking the game for granted.”It looks like a typical New Zealand wicket. There will be times when it is flat and there will be times when it is doing a bit and you have to adapt your game accordingly.I think that was the same in the last Test and will be the same in the next Test,” he said.