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MS Dhoni is aware of the problem and, although he isn’t overly concerned since the results have been favourable, he doesn’t like it

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Nov-2010India have endured tense second innings in three out of their previous four Tests because of top-order collapses at P Sara, Mohali and Motera. It’s made for riveting watching but MS Dhoni is aware of the problem and, although he isn’t overly concerned since the results have been favourable, he doesn’t like it.”Our performance in the second innings is not that great in recent times. We were a bit bothered,” Dhoni said on the eve of the second Test against New Zealand in Hyderabad. “The kind of experience we have, if you can do well in the first innings there’s no reason you can repeat it in the second.”Those horrible starts ended pleasantly for India because VVS Laxman came to their rescue. He scored an unbeaten 103 after India were 62 for 4 in Colombo, an unbeaten 73 when his team was reeling at 124 for 8 in Mohali, and 91 after India were reduced to 15 for 5 in Ahmedabad. The last collapse was the most surprising, because it occurred on a lifeless pitch during one inspired spell from Chris Martin. This New Zealand attack was thought incapable of disturbing the most experienced line-up in the world.Even the most experienced line-ups in the world, though, are vulnerable to palpitations. Dhoni spoke of the mild panic in the dressing-room as the match lurched from heading towards an inevitable draw to India being a wicket away from defeat. “Of course there was [panic], frankly speaking, but we knew we needed one partnership,” he said. “What happens when you lose quick wickets is that your heartbeat goes up and at times you tend to commit mistakes. We were a bit worried but we were waiting for that one good partnership to happen.

“In Gautam’s case, you might say it’s a fear of failure but I think it’s a fear of performance. He’s set his benchmark so high and in India when you set a high benchmark you’re expected to better it. He will realise that he needs to set his own benchmarks and think practically about what is a good performance.”MS Dhoni on Gautam Gambhir’s problems

“It’s just the mental barrier or mindset. At times you tend to go too ahead of the game. In the last Test, maybe we thought the wicket is difficult to get out on, so maybe it will end in a draw. It’s always good to be in the present. We aren’t too bothered about it [the collapse] but it has happened a bit too frequently.”Another common factor during India’s troubles in Mohali and Ahmedabad is Gautam Gambhir making a second-innings duck. He did not play at the P Sara but Gambhir made one in Galle as well and India lost by ten wickets. He now has three second-innings ducks in a row and only 86 runs in his last nine innings. Gambhir was among the first specialist batsmen at practice today and he knows he has a little more rope and the backing of his captain.”In Gautam’s case, you might say it’s a fear of failure but I think it’s a fear of performance,” Dhoni said. “He’s set his benchmark so high and in India when you set a high benchmark you’re expected to better it. He’s in that phase where you have the pressure of performance rather than the pressure of failure. He will realise that he needs to set his own benchmarks and think practically about what is a good performance.”Unlike on innumerable occasions in the past, though, India are not without a ready replacement opener. M Vijay has made the most of the few opportunities he has been given – a match-winning century against Australia in Bangalore being his most recent effort. Should Gambhir’s fallow patch cause him to run out of rope, Vijay will step in. But not yet.”Gautam Gambhir is the best pick for the opening slot right now,” Dhoni stressed when asked for how long a person could be selected on experience. “M Vijay has done well in whatever format and wherever he has got a chance. But he will have to wait for some more time.”The Gambhir-Sehwag combination at the top of India’s order was the driving force behind them claiming the No. 1 ranking in Tests. Long may it continue, is what the team is thinking.

Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal were sent notices by the ICC this year after the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean, PCB chairman Ijaz Butt has said

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Sep-2010Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal were sent notices by the ICC this year after the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean, PCB chairman Ijaz Butt has said. However, the notices were sent directly to the players and without the ICC informing the PCB they were being sent.”That is confidential for now and we don’t know the details of that,” Ijaz Butt said in Lahore, where he was addressing a press conference on Thursday.ESPNcricinfo had on Monday reported that two Pakistan cricketers – part of the squad in England – were issued notices by the ICC seeking information nearly a month before the spot-fixing scandal broke during the Lord’s Test last month. It is not immediately clear whether this is the same case Butt referred to.

Having secured a 1-0 victory in their previous SPFL match against Livingston, Rangers are back in action this afternoon with an away clash against Ross County next up for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side in their latest attempt at moving a step closer to securing the league title.

On the chalkboard

In terms of which players Van Bronckhorst could select to be in his starting XI to take on County this afternoon, one figure that didn’t start against Livingston but ended playing a big part in the win that we feel should be in the team from the beginning on this occasion is Scott Arfield. 

After replacing James Sands in the 59th minute in midweek, Arfield managed to get his name on the scoresheet and score the vital goal that earned Rangers the three points on the day. 

With that in mind, it would be a good option to give Arfield, who is currently picking up a weekly wage of £16k-per-week according to Salary Sport, the chance to potentially add another goal to his tally for the season from the start rather than the substitutes bench again. 

Also, with Van Bronckhorst recently sharing his wishes at seeing the Canadian stay at the club for the foreseeable future after his current contract at Ibrox expires at the end of the season, starting him this afternoon would be a good way of proving just how important he is for the team.

Labelled as a “reliable” player for Rangers by Kenny Miller, Arfield has racked up 165 appearances for the Scottish champions across all competitions with 32 goals and 18 assists under his belt, showing not only how experienced he is but also how capable he is in front of goal.

Taking into account how the 33-year-old has already scored against County this season back in August during Rangers’ 4-2 win, he now has the chance to haunt them again this time around and terrify them with his goalscoring ability.

Moving forward, while the midfielder proved in the game against Livingston how much of a useful impact player he can be for Rangers off the substitutes bench, it could be worth starting him this time to see if he can help his side have a more comfortable game this time around.

In other news: “Monitoring”: Journalist delivers key Rangers transfer update which Van Bronckhorst will love…

Harbhajan Singh has said he would be willing to take up the role of captain or vice-captain if offered

Cricinfo staff02-Jul-2010Harbhajan Singh, one of the senior members of the Indian team with more than 11 years experience at international level, has said he would be willing to take up the role of captain or vice-captain if offered. Harbhajan led Mumbai Indians in the inaugural IPL, but has not been a candidate for national captaincy despite having won several games for India.”When my time comes, I will get captaincy or vice-captaincy,” Harbhajan, who turns 30 on Saturday, told Indian news channel . “I have said many times that I am available and obviously if something like this comes then I would definitely be really honoured to receive such kind of responsibility.”As you said, I have not got my dues, so probably I will when that time comes. I have seen Anil Kumble retiring. He was the captain of India for two years. For me it will be the same thing. Let’s see, who knows.”Harbhajan acknowledged the responsibility on his shoulders and said his role was to guide India’s upcoming spinners in the way Kumble had guided him. “I am the kind of person who actually believes that I have to win this game and I have got young bowlers like Pragyan Ojha, Piyush Chawla, Ashwin and I need to show them the way,” he said.”Even now, when he [Kumble] is retired, I ask him whenever there is something wrong with my bowling. After the Nagpur Test, I called him and asked him whether anything is wrong. He just told me that there is nothing wrong with my bowling, just keep things very simple, you’ve won games on previous occasions, just go and give your best shot and be relaxed as much as you can.” Harbhajan bagged eight wickets in the next Test in Kolkata to level the series and propel India to the No.1 ranking in Tests.Harbhajan also dismissed talk of him being an allrounder, following his match-winning cameo against Pakistan in the Asia Cup. “I am not an allrounder. There was only one allrounder that India produced and that is Kapil Dev,” Harbhajan said. “I don’t think after Kapil Dev any allrounder came. But I am definitely someone who can work with the bat. I have worked really hard on it thanks to Gary Kirsten and other team-mates.”Harbhajan, who continues to represent India in all three formats, admitted India’s early exit from the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean was a setback but the kind of criticism that followed, he claimed, was unwarranted. “Of course, it hurt when people were taking our case,” he said. “Everyone was saying we are running after money. We are playing cricket and nothing else and for God’s sake please leave us alone for some time. You know we have got our own life as well. We are mature people and know what to do.”Playing for the country is my first thing and what I am today is because I am playing for my country. If I was playing just IPL, or for any other club, then nobody would have given me the respect I have got. Whatever I have achieved today [is because I play for India].”Such criticism, Harbhajan added, was difficult for the youngsters in the squad. “If someone does not do well you criticise him, but do not take his case for any other reason. It definitely affects the youngsters.”

Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to continue their unbeaten run in the Premier League under Antonio Conte when they head to his former club, Chelsea, later this afternoon.

The two teams have already played each other twice this month, courtesy of their two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final, where Spurs were knocked out by the Champions of Europe by a 3-0 aggregate scoreline.

Conte has plenty of decisions to make over his starting XI heading into kickoff, so it will be interesting to see what sort of side he opts for, having failed to score against the Blues.

The Lilywhites are on the cusp of breaking into the top four and a result on the Italian’s old stomping ground would seriously bolster things.

There are also injuries to contend with, so here is our predicted line-up for this exciting encounter at Stamford Bridge…

There could be as many as three changes from the side that recorded a last-gasp win at Leicester City in midweek.

Fresh from signing a contract extension at the club, Hugo Lloris is expected to remain between the sticks as club captain and being the no.1 goalkeeper but there’s an alteration to the three in front of him as Conte is able to welcome back Eric Dier from injury.

[snack-amp-story url = “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/tottenham-hotspur-thfc-spurs-transfer-rumours-gossip-conte-paratici-levy-updates” title=”Read the latest Spurs news, transfer updates and much, much more!”]

He should join Ben Davies and Davinson Sanchez.

Meanwhile, Sergio Reguilon made his comeback from injury at the King Power and is likely to be involved again. However, his fellow wing-back Emerson Royal could be dropped today.

He was taken off at half-time during the win and according to Conte, that was because he was carrying a knock. Matt Doherty came on in his place and looked the much better option, anyway. He should start over the Brazilian summer signing.

The midfield remains largely the same, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg partnering Oliver Skipp, though there is no place for £91k-per-week youth product Harry Winks, who returns to the bench to allow Wednesday night’s hero Steven Bergwijn a rare start.

He should then join Lucas Moura and Harry Kane in the attack, with Heung-min Son still absent through injury.

Predicted Spurs XI (3-4-3): Lloris; Davies, Dier, Sanchez; Reguilon, Hojbjerg, Skipp, Doherty; Bergwijn, Moura, Kane.

AND in other news, “Talks ongoing”: Fabrizio Romano drops transfer claim that’ll leave Spurs fans buzzing…

An update has emerged on French defender Lucas Digne, regarding Newcastle United’s interest in his services.

What’s the talk?

Journalist Luke Edwards has claimed that the Everton full-back is on the Magpies’ radar this month as Eddie Howe goes in search of reinforcements for his squad.

He Tweeted: “Can’t see them signing Botman and Carlos. Digne is a target I’ve had that confirmed but there is bound to be competition.”

In his article for The Telegraph, Edwards named Digne and Southampton’s Romain Perraud as two players the club are looking at as they attempt to bring in competition for Jamal Lewis at left-back.

He then provided another update on the French defender on Wednesday lunchtime, saying:

“A centre back and a striker seem to be where most of the remaining money will be spent at #nufc this month. A loan with option to buy in the summer for Lucas Digne under discussion. Another CB permanent or loan on the to do list. Another CM probably the least pressing requirement.”

Excitement

This claim from the reporter will surely leave Newcastle fans feeling excited as Digne could be a terrific addition to the side. He is adamant that there is interest from the Magpies in the Frenchman’s services and that brings with it the exciting prospect of the club making a genuine move for him in the coming weeks.

Digne is a proven Premier League performer who could come in and be a major upgrade on Lewis and Matt Ritchie on the left side of defence. In his three full league campaigns for the Toffees to date, he has averaged a WhoScored rating of 7.08 or higher – scoring four goals and providing 18 assists in that time.

This season, Ritchie and Lewis have averaged scores of 6.43 and 6.33 respectively. Neither of them have been able to consistently deliver high-quality performances on the pitch and that is why the Everton man could be a vital signing for Howe, as his displays for the Blues show that he is capable of doing that at Premier League level – proving it over the course of three years.

Therefore, Magpies fans will be able to get excited by the thought of Digne playing for the club in the second half of the campaign. He could come in and instantly be a top performer for the side as he is accustomed to playing in the English top-flight and would not need an adaptation period.

With Kieran Trippier reportedly closing in on a transfer to St. James’ Park, Newcastle could find themselves with an excellent full-back pairing come the end of the month. However, it is down to Howe and Nick Hammond to ensure that they are able to get both deals over the line.

AND in other news, Howe can brutally axe £40k-p/w NUFC dud by signing “deceptive” gem who’s a “nightmare”…

A century partnership between Ian Westwood and Rikki Clarke restored Warwickshire’s resolve at Edgbaston after they had registered their lowest total in 11 years

31-May-2010
ScorecardA century partnership between Ian Westwood and Rikki Clarke restored Warwickshire’s resolve at Edgbaston after they had registered their lowest total in 11 years. Dismissed for 100 by Durham, they were in danger of a rapid slide to a third successive defeat in the County Championship when forced to follow on 279 behind.Deep in trouble at 62 for 3 when legspinner Scott Borthwick took two wickets in his first seven balls, they managed to halt Durham’s charge by reaching 229 for 4 at the end of the third day. The fourth-wicket stand of 114 helped to trim the deficit to 50 and, although Durham are still favourites to chalk up a third win in defence of last season’s title, Westwood and Clarke gave their team a much-needed shot of confidence.The durable Westwood was ideally suited to the captain’s role, batting through 72 overs for an unbeaten 86 and Clarke found some form for his first half-century of the season. He hit a dozen fours before he was lbw to Ian Blackwell for 66.The morning session had been a nightmare for Warwickshire. With nine wickets falling for just 82 runs, it became their least productive batting performance since they collapsed for 86 against Essex at Chelmsford in April 1999.The absence of England duo Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott was only a partial excuse for their failure to reach 150 in the first innings for the third match in succession. The pitch was neither spiteful nor an absolute turner and there was only a hint of swing to assist a Durham attack missing four front-line seamers in Steve Harmison, Graham Onions, Mark Davies and Callum Thorp.It was an indictment of the top order that Andrew Miller, the nightwatchman, was the highest scorer with 35 from 81 balls. The former Lancashire paceman came into this match with a career record of 19 runs from 10 first-class innings and yet he was able to outshine everyone in terms of application and good sense.Having defended quite comfortably for 90 minutes, he only lost his wicket in a sudden rush of blood. Not content with a six and four from successive balls, he was bowled by Blackwell when lining up another big hit.New-ball pair Mitchell Claydon and Chris Rushworth shared Warwickshire’s first five wickets. With Darren Maddy dismissed overnight, Claydon had figures of 3 for 5 when late movement accounted for left-handers Westwood and Jim Troughton.When Durham switched to Blackwell’s spin, the allrounder had Richard Johnson caught at slip from his second delivery and, at the other end, Liam Plunkett cleaned up the tail with 3 for 16.

Ramnaresh Sarwan hopes home advantage will give West Indies the edge in the ICC World Twenty20 beginning on Friday

Cricinfo staff26-Apr-2010Ramnaresh Sarwan hopes home advantage will give West Indies the edge in the ICC World Twenty20 beginning on Friday. West Indies have yet to win a multi-team competition since 2004, when they won the Champions Trophy in England, and after six tumultuous years Sarwan said the team needed its supporters to back them to the hilt.”We have a very good chance of winning this competition. We are at home and that gives us an advantage,” said Sarwan, a veteran of that 2004 success. “What is important is that we play as a team and try and support each other as much as we can, whether it’s in the field or when we are batting or bowling. That is something we hope to do and we hope we can do it on a consistent basis.”Sarwan, who is on the comeback trail from injury, felt the Caribbean fans had a big role to play. “There will certainly not be a problem getting support from our fans,” he said. “I think over the years, although we have not been at our best, the fans have been very supportive and I think they know that we need their support now.”The hosts have been grouped with Ireland and England during the initial phase of the World Twenty20. In the inaugural tournament in 2007 they suffered a humiliating loss to Bangladesh and exited in the first round and in 2009 they lost in the semis to Sri Lanka. Clyde Butts, the president of the West Indies selectors, was optimistic about the team’s chances this year.”We have Chris Gayle at the top of the order and he can be a match-winner. It is also good to have our experienced players in the middle-order – Shiv Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan – and this gives us strength in the batting,” he said. “Wavell Hinds has been recalled and he brings a wealth of experience. Dwayne Bravo is one of the leading allrounders in world cricket and he is the key man with bat and ball.”We are happy to have Jerome Taylor back in the bowling department and this is a big plus. I also believe Sulieman Benn will play a major role with the ball.”

In an intriguingly balanced match on a testing pitch, Hampshire have a platform from which they might just lift their spirits after a woefully poor beginning to the season with a win over the First Division leaders

Jon Culley at Trent Bridge18-May-2010
Scorecard
In an intriguingly balanced match on a testing pitch, Hampshire have a platform from which they might just lift their spirits after a woefully poor beginning to the season with a win over the First Division leaders. It is an unsteady platform, for sure, represented by a lead of just 35 runs, but after losing four of their first five matches in the Championship, to be in with a chance at the half-way stage in this one must feel like progress.Much will depend, of course, on how they bowl on day three, given that a big target on the last day could be a daunting prospect for a batting line-up lacking Michael Carberry as well as Michael Lumb and Dimitri Mascarenhas. Variable bounce is likely to be a factor on a dry, cracked pitch.They will look again to Jimmy Adams, who missed out by four runs on a first century of the campaign but was the fulcrum nonetheless of a steadfast performance from Hampshire, whose record contrasts with Nottinghamshire’s four wins from four.It could be a good moment, too, for Neil McKenzie, the former South African Test batsman, to properly prove his value to the county after a slow start to his Hampshire career. The way in which he ended a run of low scores with a first half-century in the Championship perhaps signalled a timely return to form.Two partnerships were pivotal on day two, the first of which saw Adams and Chris Benham add 115 after the loss of nightwatchman James Tomlinson left them 39 for 2.At the start of it, Darren Pattinson bowled superbly, maintaining excellent control, finding movement off the pitch as well as through the air and beating the bat repeatedly. He looked a bit like the Pattinson of two years ago, before he earned his solitary and controversial Test call-up. James Whitaker, the England selector, was looking on, as he often was then, although it would be a surprise if he is mentioned in dispatches this time.Charlie Shreck was no less impressive and when he and Pattinson gave way, Andre Adams and Paul Franks kept up the pressure. In an enthralling contest, the Hampshire pair were made to work for their runs.Indeed, their application was impressive, in particular from Jimmy Adams, who grafted for 153 balls to get to 50, although he should have been caught at second slip off his namesake’s bowling on 37, Neil Edwards spilling the chance.Benham, who had a painful blow on the elbow facing Adams the bowler, survived a difficult chance to the wicketkeeper off Pattinson on 20 soon after lunch.Adams at last found an opportunity to attack when Nottinghamshire introduced Samit Patel’s left-arm spin an hour into the afternoon session. His next 46 runs came much more briskly, all bar six of them in boundaries, but Nottinghamshire regained the initiative again when Shreck broke the stand by bowling Benham.Then Franks, who had been turned down in a vigorous appeal for lbw moments earlier, found some extra bounce and movement to Adams, who was caught behind off a thin contact and walked without waiting for the umpire’s verdict.Franks, whose all-round talents saw him accelerated into the England one-day side a decade ago only for a knee injury to blunt his progress, has been in and out of the Nottinghamshire side in recent years but seems to be thriving again now, with Mark Ealham’s retirement offering the chance to forge a permanent place. Full of confidence, he struck again four balls later in the same over, James Vince hitting him straight to Steven Mullaney at midwicket. Vince is a young man who might interest Whitaker and company at some stage, but not on this occasion.With his quick demise, Hampshire were five down and still 102 adrift. Nottinghamshire sensed a chance to take the upper hand decisively.But McKenzie and Nic Pothas had other ideas. Adding 74 in 23 overs, they swung the balance again towards Hampshire before, Pattinson, with the new ball, trapped McKenzie leg before with a fuller delivery.Adams, whose last spell was his best, dismissed Pothas and mopped up the tail to finish with 4 for 56, but not before Sean Ervine had eked out a valuable unbeaten 31 for a lead of 35.

Stuart Broad and James Anderson have been made available for the next round of County Championship matches ahead of England’s departure for the World Twenty20

Cricinfo staff20-Apr-2010Stuart Broad and James Anderson have been made available for the next round of County Championship matches ahead of England’s departure for the World Twenty20.Broad requested the opportunity to play a match before leaving for international duty and will now face Somerset at Trent Bridge, while Anderson was released for Lancashire after his knee showed no ill-effects from bowling 35 overs against Warwickshire. He took two wickets in the first innings, but went wicketless in the second as Lancashire won by 121 runs.It was Anderson’s most serious workout since taking a lengthy break following England’s tour of South Africa. He sat out the trip to Bangladesh to allow his troublesome knee injury to clear up and so far this season has been happy with his progress.Broad, meanwhile, was part of the squad in Bangladesh and recently said how he’d lost 4kgs during the tour due to the testing conditions and had spent the last few weeks working in the gym. His Nottinghamshire team-mates Ryan Sidebottom and Graeme Swann are unavailable for county duty this week ahead of the World Twenty20.England’s other seam bowlers in the Twenty20 squad, Tim Bresnan and Ajmal Shahzad from Yorkshire, have also been made available for the next Championship match against Kent at Canterbury.