All posts by h716a5.icu

Traditionalists will heave a sigh of relief with the news on Tuesday that the KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union have shelved plans to sell the naming rights for Kingsmead

Ken Borland08-May-2001Traditionalists will heave a sigh of relief with the news on Tuesday that the KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union have shelved plans to sell the naming rights for Kingsmead.In December last year the Natal Witness revealed that the KZNCU had made a policy decision that the naming rights for Kingsmead and the Natal team were on offer. But by Tuesday the union’s chief executive officer, Cassim Docrat, said negotiations on the issue had been ended with East Coast Radio, the main interested party.”The selling of the naming rights has been shelved, but East Coast Radio are still very keen to be commercially involved with KwaZulu-Natal cricket and there is space for other sponsorship options, which we are currently looking at,” Docrat confirmed.The decision to preserve the name of a world-famous venue is good news for the traditionalists who have fond memories of some great Tests at Kingsmead and also Natal’s trophy-winning exploits of the 1970s and 90s.The decision will also be cause for celebration for the Kingsmead Mynahs Club, benefactors of Natal cricket since 1971 and whose members lodged a petition against any name change with the KZNCU.Former Natal wicketkeeper/batsman Forest Hill, the current president of the Kingsmead Mynahs, said the decision was “very good news”.”I don’t want to seem to be against change or refusing to move with the times, but you have to be very careful with tradition. One battles to think about a legendary place like Lord’s being sold off and the sad thing is that Kingsmead’s name would have changed again a couple of years down the line.”A lot of change is for the better, but I think most people would want to preserve the name Kingsmead,” Hill said.Meanwhile, it seems the long-awaited acquisition of an overseas fast bowler may well come to fruition in time for next season with the KZNCU agreeing on the amount to offer. New coach Eldine Baptiste and director of playing affairs Phil Russell have been given the task of scouting around the West Indies and England respectively for prospective signings.”Happily, the money for an overseas pro is no longer a major issue,” Docrat confirmed on Tuesday.The KZNCU’s other focus at present is hosting the organising committee for the 2003 World Cup, which will be staying at Selborne for a conference May 22-24. Some crunch issues will be discussed at the conference, with over 100 international stakeholders jetting in to Durban to attend.Ali Bacher, the head of the World Cup organising committee, will arrive in KwaZulu-Natal next Wednesday and will take a closer look at developments at Kingsmead and at the Oval in Pietermaritzburg and meet with Chatsworth officials who are still hoping to host a World Cup match.

Daniel Pinder, the editor-in-chief of Get German Football News, has exclusively told Football FanCast that Taiwo Awoniyi would be a good signing for Rangers should Alfredo Morelos leave this summer.

The Gers, along with Glasgow rivals Celtic, were both linked to signing the 23-year-old striker back in January, with Premier League clubs also interested.

Awoniyi is currently on loan in the Bundesliga with Union Berlin, but whilst the Nigerian has produced some impressive numbers, his spell in Germany has been overshadowed by a muscle injury which has seen him miss the previous 10 league matches.

Despite his troubled campaign, the young striker managed five goals and three assists in 20 appearances this season, one of which came in their victory over Borussia Dortmund before Christmas.

And Pinder believes that his goal record in Germany would give him every chance of being able to replicate that record in the Scottish Premiership in place of Morelos.

But it would be big boots to fill, with the Colombian striker scoring close to 100 times in four seasons for Rangers, which culminated in their title-winning triumph.

He told Football FanCast:

“If you look at his form for Union Berlin pre-injury, he is a player that could potentially get 15-20 goals in Scotland.

“I think for Rangers for example, playing alongside Kent and Hagi, potentially as a Morelos replacement if he leaves, it would be a decent signing for them.”

His job is to maintain the scorebook while a match is going on

Shahryar Khan16-May-2001His job is to maintain the scorebook while a match is going on. The thing that is notable is that he is always found wearing black trousers in the stadium. Is it some special affection for the dark color that makes him do that? We, when got such rumor from a sports periodical, asked Mr. Habibullah who prefers to call himself Habibullah Scorer how far it is true. The jovial man burst into laughter and added," All because of playing a sometime double-role in the match." The thing is that our umpires at times become precarious on their duty days-becoming the victim of deep sleep syndrome. Such a weird day was left for the viewers fifteen days earlier in a Premier Division match between Abahani and Dhanmondi. One of the umpires could not be spotted anywhere when fielders and batsmen are on the field waiting for the game to start-it was already twenty minutes late. Now Habibullah Scorer stretched his hand to assist the other umpire who was seemed to be in dire straits-started the match with him without making further delay. Mr Habibullah was wearing his dark slacks like any day and he borrowed a white T-shirt from one of the players to become a square leg umpire. After ten overs the missing umpire was seen approaching hurriedly. Why late?-" Sleeping, I just got over-slept" he rattled off. However, a black slack saved the match from being doomed any way! Cheers for Habibullah!

West Ham United will be looking to continue their late-season push to qualify for a European berth when they welcome Everton to the London Stadium this afternoon.

Last time out, David Moyes’ side came from behind to defeat Burnley thanks to a brace from the returning Michail Antonio, and those three points have put them in a very strong position to feature in UEFA competition in 2021/22.

The Irons could maintain the pressure on capital rivals Chelsea and keep their opposition at bay with another victory here, so it will be interesting to see what sort of line up the 58-year-old deploys.

Here’s the XI we’re predicting, along with the latest team and injury news…

Moyes could make just three changes from the side that tasted victory on Monday night, with a pair of first-choice starters in line to return from injury.

Antonio got through the full 90 minutes unscathed and should be fine to feature once again. He could be joined in the team by returning defender Angelo Ogbonna, who missed the trip to Burnley with a hamstring problem, and Declan Rice, who could be a surprise starter having missed their last five outings.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-latest-west-ham-news-transfer-rumours-and-the-latest-gossip-moyes-gsb-london-stadium” title= “Read the latest West Ham news, transfer rumours, gossip and more!”]

ExWHUemployee claimed that the 32-year-old “should be back”, whilst Moyes said he was “hoping to have” the England international available ahead of kick-off in his pre-match press conference, so that’s an encouraging sign.

Ogbonna should come straight back in for Issa Diop, with Manuel Lanzini likely to face the chop in midfield. It means we may see a back four of Aaron Cresswell, Craig Dawson, Vladimir Coufal and the Italian, in front of Lukasz Fabianski.

In midfield, Rice would be likely to join Tomas Soucek, with loan sensation Jesse Lingard and Pablo Fornals keeping their places, although we could see Said Benrahma drop to the bench despite the £18m-rated star’s impressive showing at Turf Moor.

Jarrod Bowen would be the obvious replacement for the Algerian in attack after the 24-year-old was axed against Burnley.

AND in other news, 63 mins, 0 goals in 2021: GSB played a blinder with WHU call on £13m-rated “nightmare”…

Chris Sutton has suggested Marcelo Bielsa has had his head turned by Tottenham Hotspur as they continue their search for a new manager.

The Lowdown: Spurs interested in Bielsa

Reports have recently suggested Tottenham are interested in hiring the Leeds boss to replace Jose Mourinho as the club’s permanent manager (Football Insider).

Bielsa’s current contract at Elland Road is set run out at the end of the term (The Athletic).

The Latest: Sutton makes Bielsa claim

Speaking on BBC 5Live following a call from a Leeds fan, Sutton suggested the Argentinian has had his head turned by Spurs. He said:

“He’s not signed a new contract with Leeds United. Everybody gets their head turned, everyone gets their head turned. My source is not Marcelo Bielsa, but I will have a word with my source.”

He continued, to Leeds fan Derek: “I understand your point but the fact of the matter is, whether you like it or not, he hasn’t signed a new contract for next season. Is something amiss?”

The Verdict: Why?

Bielsa is a club legend at Leeds United. He was the man to take them back to the Premier League for the first time in 16 years, and they are on course to finish in the top half this campaign. His achievements mean he is adored at Elland Road. He is also a legend across the globe, too – former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has previously admitted to being inspired by the ex-Marseille manager (via Give Me Sport).

Although he has not put pen to paper on a new deal, he has previously said he will wait until the end of the season to contemplate such a move (Sky Sports). While Spurs have more funds and are more established, Bielsa has free reign at Leeds to put the team together as he wishes – whether he would have that freedom at Tottenham is up for debate.

While Levy may be interested, it is hard to see Bielsa making the switch to north London.

In other news, Levy wants to hire this Champions League winner as the new Spurs manager.

Glenn McGrath and Ricky Ponting are both rested from the NatWest Series encounter between Pakistan and Australia at Trent Bridge

CricInfo18-Jun-2001Glenn McGrath and Ricky Ponting are both rested from the NatWest Series encounter between Pakistan and Australia at Trent Bridge.Although the game is of limited importance, with both sides having already qualified for the final on Saturday, Steve Waugh is keen to use the game for some experimentation as well as ensuring that the momentum of a winning run is not broken.”We are trying a few things ourselves at the moment,” Waugh admitted. “In these next two games we can experiment a bit more, but we still want to win. As a team we want to make sure we have a good sequence of winning games.”The match has some importance, but once you get to the final it is a one-off event,” he continued. “Even so it is nice to beat the team you are going to play in the final beforehand.”It is only Waugh’s second game under lights in England, and although he stressed he enjoyed the occasion, he had doubts about the effectiveness of lights in the English summer.”The down side here is that it does not really get dark until late, and the lights are not as good as they are in Australia,” he said.For Pakistan, Wasim Akram is still a doubt with his shoulder injury, though he is thought likely to play in the final.

Australia: A Gilchrist (wkt), M Hayden, M Waugh, D Martyn, M Bevan, S Waugh (captain), A Symonds, S Warne, D Fleming, J Gillespie, B Lee.

Pakistan (from):Saeed Anwar, Shahid Afridi, Salim Elahi, Abdur Razzaq,Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Azhar Mahmood, Younis Khan, Fazl-e-Akbar, RashidLatif (wkt), Waqar Younis (captain), Saqlain Mushtaq.

Umpires: Neil Mallender (Eng) and George Sharp (Eng). Third umpire: Vanburn Holder (W Indies). Match referee: Brian Hastings (Nzl).

Canterbury began the second day of their match against Northern Districts with 284/7, and lingered on till the first drinks break

Jaimee Astle25-Mar-2002Canterbury began the second day of their match against Northern Districts with 284/7, and lingered on till the first drinks break.This was the second day of their match at the Village Green, and weather conditions were fine with light breezes, and cloud cover threatening drizzle later this evening.Gareth Hopkins returned to the crease this morning with Paul Wiseman to drive the Canterbury total past the 300 mark, however this was not to be, with Tuffey securing his seventh wicket in the first over of the day. He had Wiseman out lbw for 13.Hopkins brought up 300 for Canterbury with a high hook over deep square leg, which the side registered off 654 balls.Graeme Aldridge brought Hopkins’ innings to an end in the 111th over, just short of his half-century. He attempted to pull a ball that kept low and was given out lbw for 45, which he knocked off 82 balls.On the second ball after drinks, Joseph Yovich wrapped up Canterbury’s innings. He had Ryan Burson caught behind for 26, who stuck around at the crease for over an hour.Canterbury ended up with 338 all out off 117 overs.ND openers Grant Robinson and James Marshall got their side off to a steady start. They had 40 runs on the board by lunch and continued to accumulate their total.Wicket-keeper Hopkins dropped Robinson for 14 in a diving attempt across first slip and then Marshall when he was on 36, which has proved expensive although the latter was a difficult chance.Robinson was rather scratchy in his approach and off-spinner Wiseman eventually got the better of him. He was given out leg before wicket for 26. This drew their 86-run partnership to a close.Meanwhile, Marshall looked to establish his innings. The 23-year-old quietly knocked up his half-century off 115 balls, including six fours.Michael Parlane did not muck around at the crease, hitting a high shot over mid-wicket for four on his sixth ball.ND brought up their 100 in the 45th over off 277 balls, while Marshall and Parlane established their 50-run partnership during an expensive 13-run over from Chris Harris.Stephen Cunis, who bowled economically finished with seven maidens and 27 runs conceded from his 21 overs.Umpires Gary Baxter and Robert Anderson checked light meters throughout the afternoon and finally called off play at 4.30pm at the close of the 68th over. Fifteen overs were lost at the end of the day’s play.Marshall has crept closer to his century and currently stands at 88 not out. He has now scored over 500 runs this season and may be set to beat his highest score of 122 in first-class cricket.ND coach Bruce Blair said at the close of play that he intends to bat only once, due to the deteriorating nature of the pitch.Marshall said he was happy with his batting performance and as the day progressed the deck became slow and low. He was not worried about having to leave the field so close to scoring his century. “It was a team decision and conditions simply got too dangerous.”He said his aim was to occupy the crease for as long as he could and for the team to surpass the Canterbury total by as much as possible. “We are trying to establish a large target so we don’t have to bat last on this track.”Northern Districts were 161 for one at stumps and trail by 177 runs.

It doesn’t look as if Celtic will be making Diego Laxalt’s loan spell at Parkhead permanent this summer.

The Lowdown: Laxalt’s Celtic Park struggles

Laxalt made the move to Glasgow on a season-long loan back in October from AC Milan, however, he didn’t exactly cement his place in the Hoops side at the expense of Greg Taylor.

The South American started just 13 Scottish Premiership fixtures and was absent from John Kennedy’s squad for the final game of the season last weekend.

Taylor outperformed Laxalt in the Premiership, as per WhoScored, with the Uruguayan averaging a match-rating of just 6.82/10.

The Latest: No permanent deal

According to Il Milanista, cited by Sports Witness, there was a point where AC Milan were ‘ready to negotiate’ a permanent transfer to Celtic for the left-back.

However, the report adds that the Hoops ‘abruptly changed their mind’ at the end of the campaign, with a full-time switch to Scotland now off the table.

Frank McAvennie labelled a possible permanent transfer as a ‘smart move’ back in January, but it doesn’t look as if that will materialise going off the latest reports.

The Verdict: The right call by Celtic

In our opinion, Celtic have made the right decision by changing their mind on the defender.

His AC Milan deal is thought to be worth around £57,000-a-week, and his displays at Parkhead haven’t warranted him becoming one of the club’s top earners.

Those funds, in our view, could be put to better use under the new Hoops manager this summer.

Plenty of areas need strengthening, and splashing the cash on a left-back may have not been the best idea. A new striker to replace Odsonne Edouard appears crucial, while more attacking flair following Mohamed Elyounoussi’s return to Southampton could also be handy.

In other news: Report believes Eddie Howe to Celtic is done, find out more here. 

Imran Khan Sunday said next year’s World Cup was an open tournamentdespite the fact that Australia remained firm favourites

25-Mar-2002Imran Khan Sunday said next year’s World Cup was an open tournamentdespite the fact that Australia remained firm favourites.”History tells that except in 1979, never a favourite team has won.That means the tournament is wide open and any team can win it,” Imrantold Dawn as Pakistan prepared to remember its decade of World Cupglory.Exactly 10 years ago on March 25, 1992 in Melbourne, Imran’s ‘corneredtigers’ returned from the grave to win five matches on a trot to sendthe country into jubilation. The country hailed Imran and his team andshowered them with praise, rewards and honour.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on March 30 is celebrating thatunforgettable success and is expected to launch its countdown for theWorld Cup in South Africa.Imran, who battled a troublesome right shoulder in the tournament 10years ago, also believed that there was a big difference betweenAustralia and rest of the team.”The standard is not the same as it was in 1992. Australia is farahead of rest of the present teams,” the 49-year-old legend said.Imran, whose team included half the members who were playing inAustralia for the first time, believed the key to success would bemotivation and conviction.”We lost three of the first five matches but I was not ready to acceptdefeat. I always had the confidence and therefore it was easy for meto motivate myself and the boys. “I feel that motivation and selfbelief will be the key to success next year,” he said. He, however,said the present Pakistan team lacks fighting spirit and blamed recentresults and continuous changes in the team for the current turmoil.The team is not winning enough. It is not consistant and therefore itlacks fighting spirit. There has been continuous changes in the teamand the captaincy. “I feel that it is time to put a stop toexperimentation. The selectors need to finalize the 15 and keep themtogether till the tournament,” he said.He said he had prepared for the 1992 World Cup in advance and thoughthere were a couple of injuries, he remained focused on what he had todo.”Captains have been changed too frequently. But I think Waqar is nowsettling down.”Imran said he still remembered World Cup success as his one of hisfinest hours. “I still remember how delighted the country was. It mademe even more prouder. I had never seen the country so united andexcited.”World Cup success was also important to me because it was my lasttournament in Pakistan colours and I was desperate to end it on a highnote. In addition to this, the victory was also crucial to ShaukatKhanum Memorial Cancer Hospital,” Imran said.Imran had announced his retirement after the 1987 World Cup. But cameout of retirement after mounting pressure from the then President, thelate General Zia-ul-Haq.Imran, who now heads a political party, said he would be more thandelighted to help Pakistan reclaim the title. He said in the recentpast, Javed Miandad and Mudassar Nazar invited him to pass on tips tofast bowlers and other cricketers.”I am ready to contribute in any way I can which can help Pakistan winthe tournament. But of course, I can’t work full-time.”The legend Sunday advised Pakistan cricketers to start believing inthemselves which he believed was the key to his success in the 1992,exactly a decade ago.”I never accept defeat. (In 1992) I was confident that we will windespite that fact that we lost three of the first five games. I hadthe conviction so it was easy for me to motivate myself and my team,”Imran said.Javed Miandad, who was the vice-captain, believed an unseen force wassupporting the team.”It was not like the infamous Maradona’s Hand of God. But there wascertainly a force that was helping us,” Miandad said. He said he stillremembers World Cup victory as his greatest achievement. “The hopeshad ended in tears in 1987. But in 1992, we avenged that loss andthere was is still no great feeling than remembering that I was partof the World Cup victory.”Miandad, who was initially dropped from the squad, said he was not fitto play in the competition. “But I was forced to jet out and join theteam. I sometimes wonder how I played the tournament,” he said.Miandad supported PCB’s decision to celebrate the success. “Historicvictories like these should be celebrated as it also boosts theconfidence of the present team.”

Many Wolves fans have been flocking to a transfer update on Rui Patricio as Corriere dello Sport reported (via Sport Witness) that he is ‘ready for Italy’.

As per the news outlet, a fee of €10m (£8.6m) should be enough to convince the Midlands club to sell, as the goalkeeper himself has reportedly admitted that he would ‘take into consideration’ another move abroad.

Given that he is now 33 years of age, it may be a wise idea for the Molineux faithful to cash in on him now, as his value will only diminish from hereon at this stage of his career.

The 2020/21 campaign was not Patricio’s best for Wolves, as he conceded 11 more league goals despite playing one game fewer compared to last term (Transfermarkt), while he was also culpable for two errors leading to goals for the opposition.

Wolves fans on Patricio transfer update

These Wolves supporters flocked to the transfer update as it was shared on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that the goalkeeper was ‘hopeless’ at set pieces and corners:

“I would cash in now before it’s too late. Ruddy is not that bad and I am sure we can find a suitable replacement. Good shot stopper but hopeless at set pieces and corners.”

Credit: @Earlknudsen

“When Ruddy played he was so much better, got the ball out quicker! Think we should sell doesn’t seem that good too me! Keeper at the Albion is better IMO”

Credit: @sigarrett

“The statue on set pieces. Slow off his line! Wolves deserve a better keeper!”

Credit: @xeno2480

“Been good for us tbh, however I don’t blame him wanting to move on and try new things, be a good move for both parties if he goes”

Credit: @RyanEvans_11

“Can’t blame him, 3 years here and nothing to show for it. Brilliant shot stopper but when Coady started taking goal kicks like it’s Sunday League I think its probably time for a change”

Credit: @BC1877

“Can’t believe I’m saying it but I think it’s time for him to move on, great goalkeeper but at the wrong end of his career now and £15m could get us Johnstone”

Credit: @craigdavison86

In other news, find out what managerial update has left these Wolves fans fuming.