Rahul Dravid has been appointed captain of the Indian team for the forthcoming three-match Test series against Sri Lanka. The five-man selection panel met in Chennai on Tuesday ahead of India’s third ODI against South Africa and made the decision.”It’s time for us to look ahead,” Kiran More, chairman of the selection panel, told reporters after the meeting. “Rahul [Dravid] has done wonderfully well for us whenever given the opportunity including in Pakistan last year. Given how well he has done recently [as captain in the ODIs] it is important that he be given the opportunity [in Tests].”This announcement follows widespread speculation on whether Sourav Ganguly, who has been missing from the Indian ODI team, would retain his position as Test captain. In the last Test series India played, against Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe, Ganguly was captain and led the team to a 2-0 win over a depleted opposition. Dravid, a long-time deputy to Ganguly, has led India in five Tests in the captain’s absence, with mixed results. Under Dravid, India won and lost a Test each against Australia and Pakistan last season, while the fifth against New Zealand was drawn.The selectors would have given Dravid a longer term but left the decision to the new committee that will be in place after the Indian cricket board’s elections on November 29. The gruelling season till July includes home Tests against Sri Lanka and England and tours of Pakistan and the West Indies.The selectors will now meet on Wednesday, in consultation with the newly-appointed Test captain, and coach, and pick the team for the Test series which begins on December 2. They also picked the Board President’s XI team that will play a warm-up match against the Sri Lankans. Y Venugopal Rao was named captain of that team. Parthiv Patel was included in the squad as wicketkeeper and vice-captain. There were also opportunities for the likes of Dheeraj Jadhav, Robin Uthappa and Gagandeep Singh to push hard for a place in the Indian team.Board President’s XI squad Y Venugopal Rao (capt), Dheeraj Jadhav, Shikhar Dhawan,Robin Uthappa, Munaf Patel, Niraj Patel, Sreedharan Sriram, Parthiv Patel (vice-capt, wk), Kulamani Parida, Amit Mishra, Ranadeb Bose, Gagandeep Singh.
Australian cricket can celebrate a couple of Aus$2 million men according to Business Review Weekly’s annual sporting rich-list. The captain Ricky Ponting may have missed matches because of injury and family illness in 2004, but it didn’t limit his earning as he pulled in an estimated $2.24m (US$1.69m) in contracts, match payments and sponsorship.Adam Gilchrist, the vice-captain, was second with Aus$2m (US$1.51m) while Shane Warne ($1.45m, US$1.09m), Matthew Hayden ($1.11m, US$840,000) and Glenn McGrath ($1.11m) also reached seven figures. Brett Lee has played only five days of Test cricket this year, but his marketing power pushed him to a reported $1.3m (US$1m), making him the game’s highest paid 12th man.The release of the list is poorly timed for the players as they begin a pay battle with Cricket Australia over the distribution of the board’s income. CA, who has paid them 25% of revenue since the first memorandum of understanding in 1997, want to reduce national contracts from 25 to 20 and convince the players to accept a standard annual fee so more money can be spent on the grassroots.Tim May, the Australian Cricketers Association chief executive, has presented the players’ view to CA and the issue needs to be settled by June. Current national contracts range from $140,000 to $500,000 and do not include match payments. Cricketers are well down the pay-list of Australian sports stars with Greg Norman (Aus$18m), Harry Kewell (Aus$15m) and Lleyton Hewitt (Aus$13.7m) filling the top three places.
16 wickets fell in a frenetic first day at the Rose Bowl, where the two bottom clubs Hampshire and Derbyshire met in the Division Two clash of the Frizzell County Championship.The warm weather spell continued as John Crawley chose to bat first, it was a decision he had to rue later as he saw his side capitulate to the bowling of Dominic Cork. The cloud cover and humidity helped him and the other Derbyshire seamers to make the ball swing, and it was Crawley himself who held up the progress with a spirited 49.Troubled with a back injury after completing a third run, he had to have treatment on the field, then latterly used a runner (James Adams).Iain Brunnschweiler and Chris Tremlett hit 39 late runs but the total of 143 was woefully short.Chaminda Vaas playing his first Championship match for Hampshire took the first three wickets to fall. Batting was not easy and slow progress was made by the visitors in building a short lead. Dimitri Mascarenhas bowled 9 overs after tea conceding just two runs for one wicket.Shaun Udal making the odd ball turn then finished the day with 2 wickets including in the last over the vital wicket of the Derbyshire skipper Dominic Cork.
In the Trinidad and Tobago squad list for the Red Stripe Bowl,innocuously slotted between D Ramnarine and LA Roberts, is acombination of six letters that, oddly enough, spells a five-letterword.The six letters are BC Lara, and the five-letter word is “magic.”Lara’s return from a prolonged hamstring injury, coupled with thereturn of cricket in the West Indies after a four-month hiatus, bodeswell for the 2001 edition of the Red Stripe Bowl. The absence of ahectic international schedule, moreover, ensures that a number ofinternational players will turn out for their respective sides in whatis definitely the Caribbean’s singularly important domestictournament.Apart from Lara, speedster Mervyn Dillon and Daren Ganga figure in theTrinidad and Tobago squad. While Ganga tries to get selectors to lookpast what has been a tepid international career, Dillon will be hopingto project himself as a bowler capable of becoming the spearhead ofthe West Indian pace battery.Jamaica’s squad list reads, for the initial part at least, virtuallylike the squad list of the international team. Robert Samuels, WavellHinds, Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels and Leon Garrick make up the firstfive names, while a stick of dynamite in the form of Ricardo Powell istucked away further down the list. If top-class exposure were the onlycriterion to go on, Jamaica would samba away with the cup unopposed.There is, however, that strange animal termed talent, and this iswhere Guyana gets a look in. Led by a rejuvenated Carl Hooper andincluding Shivnarine Chanderpaul in its ranks, Guyana also boastsRamnaresh Sarwan, he of the unending press coverage during the WestIndies’ tour to England. In the bowling department is Reon King, afast bowler who Colin Croft considers the “best of the young group.”The fourth team to be unusually well endowed with internationalplayers is Barbados, captained by West Indian opener Sherwin Campbell.Pace bowler Corey Collymore, wicket keeper Courtney Browne and batsmanPhilo Wallace find spots in the squad.History shows, however, that the presence of West Indian stars is noguarantee of victory. Last year’s champions, Windward Islands,included only players that were no longer being considered forselection to the international team. Precisely these players, such asJunior Murray, Cameron Cuffy, and Rawl Lewis, piloted the side toshock wins over heavyweights Jamaica and Guyana.The West Indies Cricket Board’s efforts to expand the base of regionalcompetition, however, see a division of the current champions intoNorthern and Southern Windward Islands sides. Northern Windwards willbe drawn from Dominica and St. Lucia while Southern Windwards teamwill come from St. Vincent and Grenada.Northern Windwards, in fact, kicks off the tournament on October 2with a Zone A Match against Jamaica. Zone B commences in Guyana with amatch between Barbados and Antigua. The final of the tournament isscheduled for October 14 at Kaiser, Jamaica.
After securing their place in the Europa League round of 16 stage after their midweek clash against German giants Borussia Dortmund, Rangers are back in SPFL action this weekend with a match against Motherwell at Ibrox.
As the reigning league champions look to secure another domestic win, it seems as though they could have one player involved that would surely delight a lot of fans.
What’s the news?
Speaking in his recent pre-match press conference, Gers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst revealed that January arrival Aaron Ramsey was involved on the training pitch yesterday after missing their previous league game against Dundee United with a minor knock which ended up being serious enough to keep him out of their midweek match.
The Dutchman said: “Ramsey was on the pitch today and we will see his progress.”
Since arriving at Ibrox during the recent winter transfer window from Italian club Juventus on loan until the end of the season, the Welshman has played just 29 minutes of SPFL action from two substitute appearances against Hearts and Hibernian.
Whether the midfielder will be fit enough to start his first league game for the club or just make another appearance from the bench, the fans at Ibrox would surely be ecstatic to see him out on the pitch and hopefully, keep his fitness up for the remainder of the season so he can help the club secure the title once again.
In 469 combined senior appearances for Arsenal, Juventus and Cardiff City, the midfield maestro has managed to rack up a total of 74 goals and 74 assists in the process as well as picking up numerous trophies, highlighting the attacking capabilities and top-level winning experience he can offer Rangers.
With four appearances in a Rangers shirt under his belt, the 31-year-old has already managed to pick up his first assist for the club which came during their 3-0 win over Annan Athletic in the Scottish Cup.
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Moving forward, unless the midfielder is 100% fit enough to start, it could be worth Van Bronckhorst keeping him on the bench from the start but bringing him on at some point to get some more minutes under his belt.
In other news: Forget Tavernier: £6.4k-p/w Rangers tank with 75% duels won was real star of the show…
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has stated that there is no place for racism in football, and that he fears that it may be re-entering the game.
The cases of Luis Suarez and John Terry have dominated the sport over the last number of months, with the Liverpool striker serving an eight match-ban for comments made to Patrice Evra and the Chelsea defender to stand trial in July regarding claims made by Anton Ferdinand.
Ferguson has stated that the game must be tough on potential racism cases, and that players of different ethnicities deserve respect.
“I don’t understand at all where it’s coming from, to be honest with you, I don’t understand it at all,” Ferguson told The Independent.
“This is a moment where we have to take stock and we should do something about it if it’s surfacing again, and be really hard and firm on any form or shape of racism.
“There have been a couple of examples recently which is not good. In 2012, you can’t believe it. It was obvious maybe 20 years ago and the improvements have been for everyone to see.
“I have had some fantastic black players, absolutely magnificent black players, and with every one of them I have enjoyed my working relationship with them.
“But this is a moment where we have to take stock. I think we should do something about it if it’s surfacing again, and be really hard and firm on any form or shape of racism,” he concluded.
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Mirror Football is reporting that Tottenham’s full-back turned winger Gareth Bale is not looking to move on – despite the interest in him. Bale signed a new four and a half year contract as recently as March – but that has not stopped the interest in the player from clubs such as; Chelsea, Inter Milan and Barcelona.
The Welsh international has been in good form that has included scoring 7 Premier League goals and being voted as the PFA Player of the Year. But the 21 year old is keeping his feet firmly on the ground; he said “I have not always been the most confident of people, particularly as a schoolboy, so I needed my parents to keep telling me to believe that I was better than I actually thought I was myself.”
Bale has underlined his intention to stay at Spurs and said “We have a great young team and a great manager. I believe we are going places. We’re a club on the up with a new training ground and plans for a new stadium. We’ve got a bright future and I want to be part of it.”
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In his new book Dalglish in his own words, Liverpool great Kenny Dalglish has revealed that he was overlooked for the vacant Liverpool manager’s job when Rafa Benitez was sacked by the board in the summer. Dalglish wrote:
“I had to let them [the board] know my real views. I wanted the job. I couldn’t miss the opportunity.
“One day, I was in a meeting with Christian and the chairman [Martin Broughton], and I formally put my name forward.
“‘We don’t want you, Kenny’, came the reply from Christian and the chairman. Fine. That’s their –prerogative.”
Instead, the Liverpool hierarchy decided to appoint former Fulham boss Roy Hodgson as the new Liverpool manager but their decision to not even consider Dalglish for the manager’s job is a huge disservice to a man who has become synonymous with the club during his fifteen years on Merseyside.
Dalglish arrived at Anfield in 1977, bought by manager Bob Paisley to replace Kevin Keegan who had moved abroad to play for German side Hamburg. And replace him he did as Dalglish quickly won over the Liverpool faithful and became a Kop legend in his own right. He was arguably the best player in a dominant Liverpool side that were the toast of domestic and European competitions. In his time as a player, Dalglish amassed an incredible haul of honours including 6 league titles, 1 FA Cup, 4 League Cups and 3 European Cup winner’s medals.
Following the retirement of Joe Fagan after the tragedy of the Heysel stadium disaster, Dalglish took over the helm at the club in a player/manager role and steered the club from the nadir of Heysel to continued domestic success. He clinched a league and FA Cup double in 1985-86, his first season in charge and he went on to win the league twice more with Liverpool in 1986-87 and 1989-90. Tragedy struck once again for Dalglish during his time at Liverpool as he was manager at the time of the Hillsborough disaster which claimed the lives of 96 people.
Since resigning from the Liverpool job in 1991, Dalglish has had spells managing at Blackburn where he won the Premier League, Newcastle United and Celtic but former boss Rafa Benitez offered Dalglish an opportunity to return to his beloved Liverpool in 2009 to oversee youth development while also being an ambassador for the club.
Dalglish accepted the role but he is a football man at heart. His ambassadorial role doesn’t satiate that desire of day-to-day contact and interaction with the players that he was so used to in his managerial days. Maybe the board were worried about Dalglish’s mentality as both his football career and personal life has been chequered with tragedy. Not only was he part of the Liverpool side which had to come to terms with the Heysel and Hillsborough disasters, he was battling personal strife as his wife Marina battled with breast cancer.
With Dalglish already occupying a role within Liverpool’s boardroom, there is the risk of tension developing between Dalglish and manager Roy Hodgson as Dalglish had expressed an interest in his job before he was appointed. However, Dalglish had been nothing less than professional and has moved to alleviate any fears over his relationship with Hodgson. In his book, Dalglish says he “fully respects” Hodgson and that he is willing to help Hodgson “in any way [he] can” to restore Liverpool back to the glory days that Dalglish enjoyed as a player and manager at the club.
Recent developments at Liverpool have threatened to diminish the identity of this most venerable club. First there was the decision by previous owner David Moores to sell the club to American businessmen Tom Hicks and George Gillett who have left the club ailing in desperate need of a buyer to avoid the devastation of administration. The two owners have reduced one of Europe’s great clubs to a financial opportunity as they hold out for an unrealistic £500m bid. Then there was the forcing-out of Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry by owner Tom Hicks. Parry had spent 12 years at the club but had increasingly come to blows with Hicks and Benitez over transfer policy.
Hicks and Gillett then installed self-confessed Chelsea fan Martin Broughton as club chairman to oversee the sale of the club. By doing so, Hicks and Gillett have attempted to eradicate any trace of passion and history from the club, treating the club merely as a business transaction rather than the embodiment of the loyalties and passion of half a city.
Broughton consulted Dalglish over the appointment of Hodgson but he would have failed to realise how intrinsic Dalglish is as a symbol to Liverpool football club. Hodgson has proven that he is an astute tactician during his time in European football and more recently with Fulham but there will be many on Merseyside that would have been happy to see Dalglish back at the helm of the club he so clearly adores.
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A welcome addition to our Champions League wag series – click on the image to view the gallery of Yolanthe Cabau
Arsenal attacker Gervinho has stressed the importance of Robin van Persie to the North London club, and admitted that he hopes his team-mate will extend his contract.
The Netherlands international has been in scintillating form for The Gunners, but has not yet signed a new deal at the Emirates Stadium, with his contract expiring in June 2013.
Gervinho has stated that he enjoys partnering Van Persie in attack, and hopes that he does not opt to leave the club.
“I don’t want the sale of Robin van Persie. Arsenal is a team that needs good footballers and leaders on the field,” he told Mirror Football.
“Robin is a player who pushes companions to work harder and give more effort during matches. He is a dream to play with.
“Van Persie is the captain and the boss in the group, without doubt. I saw that from my first day at the club.
“For me, when opponents see Robin on the other side, it is a huge psychological blow. I am always happy playing with him,” he stated.
The Ivory Coast international will be unavailable for Arsene Wenger’s men for at least a month as he is away on African Cup of Nations duty, and has apologised to the Emirates faithful for his absence.
“I am sorry I can’t help my Gunners team-mates but the Ivory Coast needs my collaboration. My country is very important and our challenge is to reach the final,” he concluded.
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