A second round of interviews will be undertaken before the appointment of a coach for the CLEAR Black Caps is announced.The board of New Zealand Cricket at its meeting today was briefed about the short-listed candidates and was advised the New Zealand team manager Jeff Crowe will also be involved in the process.He was not available for the first round of interviews due to an overseas commitment.New Zealand Cricket’s operations manager John Reid said today: “The inclusion of Jeff Crowe in a second round of interviews with the leading candidates will add an important team management perspective and is crucial to the decision-making process.”It was expected an appointment might be made today by the board, and annnounced next week.However, the board said there was no urgency in the appointment and they wanted to make sure the decision was right.The position will be made in time for the successful candidate to be able to join the New Zealand team on its tour of Pakistan in September.
Wolverhampton Wanderers sealed a Premier League double over West Midlands rivals Aston Villa with a 2-1 win this afternoon.
The win cements bragging rights for the Molineux faithful in his particular rivalry and moves the Old Gold up to seventh place overnight.
Bruno Lage will be impressed with his side after they bounced back from the disappointing 3-2 defeat against Leeds United just before the international break, with Jonny Otto opening the scoring and an Ashley Young own goal ultimately giving Wolves the three points.
Although the victory means that they have now won three of their last four games, questions over why 19-year-old Fabio Silva has not featured more this season may become pertinent.
At such a young age, the Portuguese starlet has “enormous potential” according to Daily Mail senior sports reporter Ollie Lewis, and although his underlying stats do not flatter him, he put in a spectacular performance for Wolves this afternoon.
Silva realising his potential for Wolves
Whilst his hold-up play demonstrated maturity and his physicality caused issues among the Villa defence, Silva’s ability to create space for team-mates was reminiscent of an old-fashioned centre-forward from yesteryear, as he grafted throughout a display which more than repaid Bruno Lage’s faith in him in what was just his third Premier League start this season.
The former Porto prospect has struggled to get to grips with the English game, and those who solely rely on statistics would have believed that the 19-year-old capitulated today. Although the young striker had fewer touches than both goalkeepers and completed just 12 passes, the fewest of any Wolves starter, it was a performance which could only be valued through the ‘eye test’.
Writing in his post-match player ratings for Birmingham Live, Alex Dicken awarded the teenager an eight, with the summary of: “Other than a first goal of the season, there wasn’t a great deal missing from Silva’s display. In just his third Premier League start of the season, Silva showed intelligence and awareness to get the better of Villa’s physically imposing defensive duo. The 19-year-old’s link up play with Trincao and Podence was very good.”
Nonetheless, Silva will have been questioning how his name evaded the scoresheet, with his two big chances providing an xG total of 0.50. Those kind of chances from that specific area of the pitch would certainly go in for him on another day.
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At a time when Raul Jimenez is serving his initial two-match ban, the Portuguese youngster has just put in a performance which will surely put him in contention to achieve his first back-to-back Premier League starts under Lage this season when Wolves make the trip to Newcastle next Friday.
In other news – Lage could finally unearth Wolves’ new Diogo Jota in “unpredictable” £33m creator
Cricinfo has learned that the new USA Cricket Association constitution has been approved by 74% of clubs which voted, although the turnout was disappointingly small.Only 180 of the 677 clubs who could have voted did so, despite the deadline being extended. Of the votes received, more than a quarter, surprisingly high number, were rejected for a variety of technicalities. Of the ballots accepted, 97 voted yes and 34 no.This now means that fresh elections have to be held within 30 days, although critics of the board are certain to be unhappy with way that the USACA has handled the process, especially the inordinate delay in announcing the results of a poll of less than 200 votes. Oddly, although Dehring released the results to the USACA, they were not immediately announced, as he requested, because Paul DaSilva, the secretary, wanted approval from his executive before he released them.The news means that Chris Dehring, appointed by the ICC as an independent third party, has been able to hand over a democratically-approved constitution which will provide the basis of a new platform for the USACA to operate under. No more could have been asked of him.It is, however, unlikely to be the end of the bitter rows which have blighted US cricket for several years. The low turnout will be used by critics of the current board to show the level of apathy among stakeholders and that, in effect, the approval came from less than 14% of the total clubs.
Australia are taking no chances on further injuries ahead of the World Cup and have ordered their squad members not to play for their states in the Ford Ranger Cup final on Sunday. Queensland had named Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson, while Victoria were expected to play Brad Hodge in the MCG clash.Matthew Hayden was originally included in the Bulls’ line-up but was ruled out when he broke a toe during his record-breaking 181 against New Zealand on Tuesday. Andrew Symonds (arm) and Brett Lee (ankle) are already in doubt for the West Indies trip and Michael Clarke is carrying a hip problem, leading the selectors to be extra-cautious with their remaining players.Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, said he had discussed the situation with Hodge, Watson and Johnson. “All three are being rested on the recommendation of the Australian coach and support staff on the basis that this is in the best interests of the Australian team as they continue their preparation for the World Cup,” Hilditch said.The decision angered Terry Oliver, the Queensland coach, who said his players should be available unless they are injured. “If there is a plan to rest players just for the sake of being rested, I’d be very disappointed,” Oliver told . “There is a duty under their contracts to play state cricket. I have had a look at the schedule for the World Cup and it’s not that heavy. Watto [Watson] is one bloke who would certainly benefit from this game of cricket on the weekend.”Australia’s move came as Johnson told the paper he would require “clean-up” injections for a minor injury to his right ankle. John Buchanan, the Australia coach, said it would be disappointing for the state competition that the stars would not be there but it was a necessary precaution.”Having been a state coach I understand the position of the states and recognise that this is a premier fixture in the domestic calendar,” Buchanan said. “But in this case I believe there’s a bigger picture and that’s the World Cup and the preparation of players in the Australian squad for that tournament.”
A fine Matthew Phelps century gave New South Wales hope of avoiding defeat against Western Australia as they finished the third day at 3 for 235. Still 156 short of making the Warriors bat again, the Blues could at least reflect on an improved day when bad light and a storm forced an early finish.However, Phelps was disappointed to leave four minutes before the interruption for 124 when Brett Dorey had him caught behind. Phelps walked out in the sixth over and recorded his third hundred of the season in an innings that included 19 fours from 178 balls.Justin Langer, the Western Australia captain, enforced the follow-on after Ben Edmondson’s two wickets ended the home side’s innings for 117, with Jason Krejza the last man out for 22. The second attempt also started badly for New South Wales, who were 3 for 6 in their first go, as Phil Jaques failed for the second time, leaving with 4 after hitting Steve Magoffin to David Bandy at point.Phelps and Craig Simmons (43) steered away from trouble with an 86-run partnership before Dominic Thornely arrived to post a half-century. Thornely was unbeaten on 56 and Aaron O’Brien was not out on 0 when play was called off. Magoffin had figures of 2 for 26 while Dorey collected 1 for 58.
Tasmania collapsed from 4 for 284 to 319 all out, and surrendered the initiative to South Australia, who reached 3 for 242 at the end of the second day of their Pura Cup match at Adelaide Oval. Dan Cullen cleaned up the tail, and ended with 4 for 96, the best figures for South Australia.South Australia began their response shakily, losing Daniel Harris with just 13 runs on the board. But Shane Deitz was up to the task, and racked up an unbeaten 107 in 200 balls that set the stage for South Australia. Greg Blewett chipped in with 62, and Tasmania’s lead was whittled down to 77 as South Australia ended the day on 3 for 242.
Sri Lanka A 198 for 3 (Mubarak 61, Jayawardene 54) beat India A 197 (Sriram 65, Maharoof 4 for 30) by 7 wickets Scorecard Mohamed Maharoof lead the way with some accurate medium pace bowling as Sri Lanka A romped home in the final of the Kenstar tri-series tournament in Kolkata. Having restricted India A to a modest 197, Jehan Mubarak and Prasanna Jayawardene stroked their way to half-centuries and steered their team home.After losing the toss, the Sri Lanka A bowlers stuck to a nagging line that kept the batsmen, most of them in fine fettle, in a tight leash. Gautam Gambhir creamed five fours before Nuwan Zoysa, the left-arm medium-pacer, rattled his stumps. The run-rate was always kept under check and India A found partnerships of sizeable proportions hard to come by. Sridharan Sriram and Hemang Badani added 46 for the third wicket but both were tied down by some disciplined bowling.Badani spooned a catch back to Rangana Herath, the left-arm spinner, and things went downhill from then. Yuvraj Singh and Dinesh Mongia perished trying to up the rate and only Sriram’s half-century prevented a collapse. Maharoof then got stuck into the lower order, fired in some incisive yorkers, and grabbed three wickets in the space of five balls.The Sri Lankans began as if they were chasing 280 and whipped everything that was a shade off line. Shantha Kalavitigoda, after hammering four boundaries, was out lbw when he was rapped on the pads by Amit Bhandari with one that jagged back at the last moment. That caused a huge uproar in Eden Gardens, which was packed for today’s game, but Mubarak and Jayawardene literally reduced the volume with some flourishing strokes. They added 104 in only 16.3 overs and Mubarak’s 61 came off 65 balls. Both fell in quick succession to the spinners, but Russel Arnold and Naveed Nawaz maintained the tempo and applied the varnish without panicking. Maharoof was adjudged the Man of the Match while Arnold was declared the Man of the Series.
With a wry grin on his face, Otago captain Craig Cumming commented late today that cricket is not a game that one should try to understand.Cumming’s men had just completed an unlikely victory over Central Districts, winning by nine runs after looking all over a well-thrashed team just an hour and a half earlier.Otago scored 243, and Central could only reach 234 after reaching 154 before losing a wicket. Cumming suggested it’s difficult to try to understand just what happens in cricket. Two games ago Otago blew what appeared a certain winning chance against Wellington.Now they savoured cricket from, the other side of the coin.”It’s the opposite feeling to what we had when we played Wellington. It was unbelievable how we could lose that – now it’s unbelievable how we could win this.”I suppose it was pressure. We managed to get a couple of wickets and put some pressure on, and our bowlers did a whole better at the end than they did at the start,” Cumming said, “and the ball started to reverse.”It’s a funny game. I don’t think you should ever try to work it out because I don’t think you can.”Cumming believed the loss of momentum by Central after Jesse Ryder (61) and Craig Spearman (97) were dismissed was vital in achieving Otago’s ultimate win.”We talk about keeping momentum going with our batting. When we put a stop to their momentum, it allowed us to claw our way back into it. Funny things happen.”
Calmore Sports are off the mark in the Southern Electric ECB Premier League, but they had to overcome a top-order batting collapse before clinching a last-ball victory over Bournemouth at Loperwood Park.Chasing Bournemouth’s 201-4, Calmore appeared set for an easy win after a century opening partnership between Tom Pegler and Paul Draper.But, having reached 143-1, they collapsed – and ended up scrambling in by three wickets off the very last ball.Earlier, Bournemouth teenager Chris Park carried his bat for an undefeated 90 and Geoff Warrington smashed 57 runs off 33 balls.Park, 17, batted sedately, but lacked any significant support until Warrington’s arrived at the crease to tuck greedily into the left-arm spin of Paul Draper, whose ten overs cost 84 runs.Draper (50) soon got his revenge, sharing a century opening partnership with Tom Pegler (65), who had Jez Goode (22) in support as Calmore reached 143-1.But Pegler’s dismissal prompted chaotic scenes in the Calmore camp – five wickets falling for only five runs, three of them in quick succession to Australian medium-pacer Peter Waite (3-20) – as the reply lurched to 148-6.James Hibberd (20) departed at 182-7, leaving teenager Paul Cass (26 not out) to guide Calmore to victory – Wilson’s penultimate over, which cost 12 runs, effectively ending Bournemouth’s prospects.Russell Rowe cracked his second consecutive century as South Wilts piled up a massive 298-4 before beating strugglers Hungerford by 135 runs.Rowe (103) and Rob Wade (74) shared a 178-run start for South Wilts, who profited further when Tim Lamb (50) and Tom Caines (40) came together.Hampshire’s Jason Laney (45) top scored as Hungerford sank to 163 all out.South Australian batsman Andy Loader was to the fore again as Bashley (Rydal) comfortably defeated Burridge by 112 runs at Bashley Common Road.The Adelaide right-hander hit 83 and shared a significant second-wicket partnership with Hampshire’s Andy Sexton (61) as Bashley took charge.Richard Knowles thumped 57 as Bashley moved to an unassailable 240-6 (Paul Jenkins 3-32).Dave Jackson (41) and Neil Cunningham (25) responded but got little support as, initially, Neil Taylor (3-14) and latterly John Whiting (3-16) created inroads as Burridge slipped to 128 all out.Title holders Havant stretched their lead at the top with a comfortable seven-wicket success at Andover, who plunged to a second consecutive defeat.The Miller brothers, Roger (33) and Mark (26) propelled Andover to 52-1 off ten overs, but the later batting gave away against Shawn Gillies (4-34) and Mark Copping (3-27).Andover’s 134 all out was never likely to test Havant, whose victory was based around second-wicket pair Andy Perry (64) and Richard Hindley (38).Second-placed BAT Sports slumped to a five-wicket defeat against Liphook & Ripsley after New Zealander Ben Jansen and Duncan Berry turned things around.BAT posted a handy 230-7 through Damien Shirazi (86) and Dave Banks (48) and looked set for victory as Liphook slipped to 135-5.But Kiwi Jansen hit 83 not out and skipper Berry an unbeaten 53 to guide Liphook home.
Andrew Dickson has been left reacting to what he has now heard from Glasgow on injured Rangers star Alfredo Morelos.
The Lowdown: On crutches
As per Sky Sports, Morelos is now a doubt for the Old Firm clash against Celtic in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday lunchtime, after he was spotted on crutches at Glasgow Airport.
The plane he was boarding was set for London, where he will receive a scan on a thigh injury that he picked up while on international duty with Colombia.
The Latest: Dickson reacts
Taking to Twitter, Scottish football journalist Dickson has reacted after hearing the news, saying the club now face a ‘sweat’ ahead of the derby:
“Looks like Morelos is off for a scan in London. Sweaty three days ahead.”
The Verdict: Worrying
The fact that Morelos has gone off for a scan so soon before the derby is certainly worrying for the Ibrox faithful.
Of course, the striker remains their biggest threat in front of goal, finding the back of the net 19 times in total so far this season, more than any of his teammates.
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Nonetheless, this is a game that the Teddy Bears really need to win in order to close the gap to their rivals at the top, and anything other than three points would spark serious doubt into their title hopes.
In other news, find out what ‘phenomenal’ Gers reveal has left Alex McLeish wowed here!