England Under 19 lost by 168 runs in its one-day match against the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) Under 19 in Adelaide today. The game was the team’s third warm-up match before the ICC Under 19 World Cup starts later this month in New Zealand.The Australians won the toss, batted first and scored 331 for eight wickets in their 50 overs. Opening batsmen Jarrad Burke (100) and Craig Simmons (88) laid the cornerstone of their innings with an opening partnership of 153. ACB U19 captain and middle-order batsman, Cameron White, hit a quick-fire 60 off 39 balls. For England Nadeem Malik, Kyle Hogg and Alex Roberts captured two wickets each.In reply England U19 started well with opening batsmen Kadeer Ali (43) andMark Pettini (23) putting on 72 for the first wicket. The team, however, was eventually dismissed for 163 in 38.5 overs. Beau Casson, the ACB U19’s left-arm chinaman bowler, returned impressive figures of six wickets for 26 runs off 9.5 overs.England U19 will play one more game against the ACB U19, on Friday 11 January, before leaving for the World Cup in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Sunday 13 January.
Karnataka players will have to live with “appalling” crowd behaviour in Mysore when they take on Odisha in their Group A Ranji Trophy match starting Saturday. Robin Uthappa had said after the team’s last home game against Haryana that “a lot of us felt” the game against Odisha should be moved out, but Brijesh Patel, the secretary of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), stated that the venue for the match starting on November 7 will not be changed.Close to 1500 spectators turned up on the opening day of Karnataka’s clash against Haryana on October 22, with several players heckled and booed during the course of the day in which Virender Sehwag made a swashbuckling century.”Murmurs were going around in the media, but no official request was made by the team management to change the venue,” Patel told ESPNcricinfo. “These incidents will happen from time to time. Fans can get excited sometimes when they see a great player in action. Legends like Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble have always found support when they have played at other venues. They [Karnataka] have to just get on with it. We need to just focus on the cricket.”Uthappa, who was at the centre of it all while fielding in the deep in the first innings, expressed displeasure at the abuse hurled at him and the team. HS Sharath and David Mathias, the pacers, also faced taunts from the crowd occasionally.”A lot of us feel like we’re playing an away game when we come here,” Uthappa had said. “Most of the boys want the next game, which is supposed to be in Mysore, to be shifted elsewhere because you don’t want the atmosphere to be like this when you are playing in a home game. You want it to be an advantage, not a disadvantage.”It is disheartening but you perceive it differently and you take it in your stride. It doesn’t really bother us because we are professionals. But if you look at it from an emotional perspective or a support perspective, it’s just appalling, to be very frank.”The game against Odisha will be Karnataka’s last in Mysore this season, after which they are slated to play their final home game against Delhi in Hubli from November 23.
Following Jarrod Bowen’s £20m move to West Ham United back in January of 2020, the right-winger got off to an extremely impressive start to life at the London Stadium – scoring one goal, registering four assists and creating four big chances over his 13 Premier League appearances during his debut campaign for the Hammers, with these returns seeing the forward earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.92.
However, while Bowen’s upward trend of both goals and assists continued over his 38 league outings last term – with the 25-year-old bagging eight goals, providing four assists and creating 11 big chances in the top flight – the former Hull City winger was also the recipient of an accolade he would have been rather less proud of – his 24 withdrawals saw him ranked as the joint-most substituted player in the division.
Despite this statistic, the Englishman now appears to have proven that is a player worth keeping on the pitch for as long as possible, as, over his 26 Premier League appearances in the current campaign – in which he has scored eight goals, registered eight assists and created eight big chances – the £58m-rated forward has only been brought off ten times, playing the full 90 in each of the club’s last 13 fixtures.
Indeed, so impressive has the £96k-per-week winger’s form been this season that Liverpool are reported to be extremely interested in a £60m move for Bowen this summer, while the 25-year-old – who Daniel Gabbidon dubbed a “genius” – would also appear to be very much in contention for Gareth Southgate’s England squad ahead of the 2022 Qatar World Cup this winter.
As such, considering Bowen’s transformation from something of a bit-part player under David Moyes to becoming one of the most exciting forwards in the country, it would appear that the same could happen to another of West Ham’s wide attacking talents – that of Said Benrahma.
Moyes can repeat Bowen trick with Benrahma
After being brought off in the 73rd minute of West Ham’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle United last weekend, the Algeria international was very visibly frustrated with his manager’s decision, with the pair having a frank exchange of words as the 26-year-old made his way back to the bench.
And, when taking into account the fact that Benrahma currently finds himself in an extremely similar situation to that of Bowen last season – having been withdrawn in 17 of his 20 Premier League starts this term, the most of any player in the division – the winger’s frustrations are perhaps understandable.
Indeed, over his 23 league outings in the current campaign, the £42m-rated forward has actually been one of the Hammers’ most impressive options in attack, having scored five goals and provided his teammates with four assists – ranking him as the club’s third-most efficient attacking outlet, behind only Bowen and Michail Antonio.
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However, while the £58k-per-week forward – who Joe Cole dubbed “unplayable” – may well be frustrated with his game time so far this season, Moyes has already proven with Bowen that, with a bit of patience, Benrahma could well go on to become a star player for the Irons in the not too distant future.
In other news: DM could land WHU’s next £58m-rated sensation in “special” 21 y/o with “all the tools”
DrawnThe MCC batted in a carefree manner and the best stand was for the fifth wicket, when the Nawab of Pataudi and Leyland added 121. Overnight and early morning rain did not affect the wicket, which had been covered, but the outfield was very muddy, the ball sometimes stopping dead. Only just over an hour’s play was possible on the second day, when the ground was in a very bad condition, play only taking place in order not to disappoint the crowd.
Most notable decision of the day Ricky Ponting’s option to bat again created strong reactions from a lot of readers and many at the ground left early. England wished they could have gone home too. Ponting’s choice means the match should get to a fifth day, which will upset the tourists who are considering a day at the beach on Monday.Dismissal of the Day James Anderson’s strong throw from fine leg beat Matthew Hayden by a couple of arm hairs and was helped be Geraint Jones’ quick glovework.Lowlight of the Day The blips from the umpires that sent Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff off within six deliveries in the first session. Hawkeye reported the ball for Pietersen’s lbw was missing off stump by 6cm while Flintoff fell to a Brett Lee no-ball.Highlight of the Day Oooh, aaah, Glenn McGrath. He gives the thumbs up to the crowd at fine leg after every wicket and there were six opportunities over the past two days. Today he gets two thumbs up.Shot of the Day McGrath again. This time it’s for walking off and holding his back like an old man on painkillers. Many of us wondered whether he’d ever be back in this sort of form. Sorry, Glenn, for being a doubter.Surprise of the Day Geraint Jones paddling Shane Warne for four from the last ball before lunch. Warne waited, went around the wicket and waited again, as he has done to end many sessions. This time he dropped short and it was England who left the field on a tiny high, which was wiped out after the break.Record of the day It’s the biggest crowd in Brisbane of all time and there’s at least another day to extend it. The previous mark of 93,143, which was set during the Bodyline series of 1932-33, has already been dumped by the 117,322 who attended over the opening three days.
The England team will compete in an exhibition golf tournament to raise funds for victims of the recent earthquake in Pakistan.Pakistan’s coach Bob Woolmer proposed the golf day, pencilled in for December 4 at the Royal Palm Beach golf course in Lahore. Although none of the Pakistan players are golfers, former captain Wasim Akram may play. “I put forward the idea of four-ball contests, each with three businessmen and one cricketer, and am grateful to England team manager Phil Neale who agreed to the proposal,” Woolmer told AFP. “We will also invite Wasim Akram, who is an active golfer and after the contest the golf kit and players’ equipment can be put up for auction.”The earthquake, which struck on October 8 in the northern region of Pakistan, killed over 54,000 people. The United Nations has warned that the figure may double if substantial aid does not reach the region.
Glenn McGrath’s dismissal of Stephen Fleming was the critical moment of play on the fourth day. As the only batsmen capable of consistently batting for long periods and making huge scores, Fleming was New Zealand’s chance of being the hero he had hoped – probably prayed – for the previous day.Fleming’s presence at the crease is so reassuring that he gives his more fragile team-mates something to hold on to. During this whistlestop series they have had no driftwood to cling to since Jacob Oram’s fine century in the first innings at Brisbane. By conquering Fleming with his off-stump line, McGrath has ensured that Australia should take the Trans-Tasman Trophy as easily as collecting shells.Usually McGrath publicly targets the highest-profile opposition batsman before a series. It was unusual that he pointed at Nathan Astle this time, leaving Fleming to Shane Warne. Neither got their man over two Tests, but McGrath probably really had his eyes on Fleming. He has nailed him every time since the second innings at Brisbane.Before this match Fleming had averaged 55.23 in 15Tests since the Sri Lankan tour in April 2003, scoringtwo double-centuries and a 192. His potential danger to Australia was comparable with Brian Lara, Michael Vaughan and Michael Atherton, the regulars on McGrath’shit-list, in match-saving situations.Fleming joined the squad late to recover from illness,and battled to catch up. Michael Kasprowicz dismissed him second ball in his tour’s first innings before McGrath took over. Ricky Ponting first bowledMichael Kasprowicz, Warne and Jason Gillespie to Fleming yesterday,and he was well set when McGrath finallyarrived at the bowling crease.Stirred from fielding for so long, McGrath delivered a rising ballslightly above off stump that brushed Fleming’s bat,and he was again late in his downswing today. McGrathappealed forcefully to Steve Bucknor, who did nothingas the off bail had been tipped. It was the perfectdelivery for Fleming. McGrath had dismissed him forthe fifth time, equalling Warne and standing only onebehind Javagal Srinath as Fleming’s most successfultormentor.New Zealand were 2 for 18 as their captain walked off,and rain or natural disaster seemed their onlysaviour. By the time his pads were packed away it was4 for 34. Fleming must hope Chris Cairns, Chris Harrisand Andre Adams fly in this week for the one-daymatches with methods to lift a wounded squad.The scheduling meant that the series would always be decided intwo weeks, but the ease with which Australia will earnthe prize tomorrow will be frustrating for New Zealand. Sadly,Fleming’s main achievement has been to earn a wallhook in McGrath’s trophy room.
The highlight of Ronnie Irani’s benefit year – a professional kickboxing and martial arts show – is to be held at Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre at Chelmsford on October 4. It will feature Europe’s leading kickboxers battling it out for European and World Title bouts in a televised event, plus martial arts and weapons demonstrations. All proceeds are in aid of the Ronnie Irani Benefit Fund.Ronnie won’t be taking part himself, especially as he has just had a major knee operation, but he is usually the first in the ring. Since moving to Essex from Lancashire, he has used kickboxing as a way of preparing for the past six seasons.”I really enjoy kickboxing and find the training helps to develop many of the fitness attributes which I need for my cricket training,” Ronnie said. “As a teenager I found that the martial arts training involved with the kickboxing helped give me focus and direction and I feel it is a great thing for youngsters and all ages to get involved in.”Tickets go on sale from tomorrow and are available from The Fitness Academy Martial Art Centre, Church Road, Boreham tel. 01245 467680 and Terrence Hill Bespoke Tailors Maldon Road Great Baddow tel. 01245 471193.
*Tamil Nadu restrict HyderabadTamil Nadu restricted Hyderabad to just 199 on Day One of their Ranji Trophy league match at Chennai.Winning the toss, Hyderabad opted to bat first. Wickets fell fast, and four batsmen were back in the pavilion with just 64 on the board. There followed a slow partnership between D Vinay Kumar and Arjun Yadav. Yadav made 71 off 176 balls, with nine fours and a six, and was the top-scorer of the innings.Yadav fell just before the close of play. At stumps, Hyderabad were 199 for five, with Vinay Kumar unbeaten on 56 off 176 balls, and M Srinivas on 0 off three balls. For the home side, skipper Robin Singh bowled impressively, returning figures of 14-8-12-2.*Kerala crumble on Day OneGoa made the most of its advantage with the toss, bowling Kerala out on Day One of their Ranji Trophy league match at Panaji on Monday.Opting to field first, Goa had Kerala in many problems when three batsmen fell for 12 runs. The biggest partnership of the innings came from Ajay Kudva and Sreekumar Nair, who put on 82 runs for the sixth wicket.Kudva fell first, having made 46 off 118 balls. Nair was the ninth wicket to fall; he made 51 off 145 balls. The innings folded for 199, in 77 overs. For Goa, Avinash Aware, Narayan Kambli and Husen Khalid picked three wickets each. In reply, Goa were 22 for no loss at stumps.*Venugopal Rao holds Andhra togetherY Venugopal Rao hit an unbeaten 74 to hold the Andhra Pradesh innings together in their Ranji Trophy league match against Karnataka at Kurnool on Monday.Winning the toss, Andhra Pradesh elected to bat but lost one opener early. There were, however, a string of significant scores all through the batting line-up. GN Srinivas made 39, and Fayaz Ahmed scored 48.At the close of play, Andhra Pradesh were 251/5, with Venugopal Rao batting on 74 and RVC Prasad not out on 2. For Karnataka, Dodda Ganesh was the best bowler, picking up two for 46.
Former India batsman Ajay Jadeja has quit as coach of the Delhi Ranji Trophy team, and has said that his “opinions or inputs don’t matter” to the Delhi and District Cricket Association. Jadeja was appointed during Delhi’s controversy-filled run-up to the 2015-16 domestic season and did not travel with the side for their first Ranji game against Rajasthan in Jaipur. Reports suggest that former Delhi coach Vijay Dahiya is one of the contenders to replace Jadeja.DDCA president Sneh Prakash Bansal had told PTI that Jadeja missed the game because his son was unwell and denied speculation that his absence was due to Amit Bhandari’s appointment as assistant coach. Jadeja, too, denied his absence was related to Bhandari’s appointment, but said he was disappointed with the manner in which DDCA had appointed a few members of the support staff.”I have read in the newspapers that the reason I have not travelled with the team is because Amit Bhandari has been appointed assistant coach,” Jadeja told the . “I would like to clarify that this is not the reason. It is sad to see that once again, players are being used to settle personal scores in the DDCA.”Now, it seems the DDCA is back to working on its own and does not need the services of anyone appointed by the government nominees or otherwise. No one within the organisation seems to have a problem with this way of functioning.”Obviously, my opinion or inputs don’t matter to DDCA. I wish Delhi cricket the best.”Jadeja was appointed coach by nominees of the Delhi government, who stepped in after factions within the DDCA named three different probable squads for the Ranji Trophy. That was one of the issues in a pre-season camp mired in controversy, with nobody to oversee the preliminary nets at Feroz Shah Kotla and no certainty over who was running the team. Jadeja said he accepted the position to try and ensure that players would not be disadvantaged by the controversies in the DDCA.”I am extremely thankful to all the people instrumental in my getting involved with Delhi cricket. As I understood the developments, the government nominees had got involved after the fiasco of the three different lists of probables being proposed and the different factions claiming to be in control,” he said. “My purpose, I thought, was to see that cricket could carry on and the players would not be disadvantaged. That was the only reason for I being involved. I don’t belong to any faction in the DDCA.”Delhi’s problems were further compounded by selection controversies in the last couple of weeks. Ishant Sharma was left out of the squad because he didn’t answer DDCA’s call or text, and was selected for the first game a day later, even though he had stated he would be unavailable for the match. Allrounder Rajat Bhatia, who has represented the side for more than a decade, was excluded. Earlier, there was no clarity on whether Gautam Gambhir or Unmukt Chand would lead the side. Senior players like Virender Sehwag and Mithun Manhas had transferred to other teams ahead of the season.