Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath have set their sights on Stephen Fleming and Nathan Astle for the two-Test series against New Zealand, starting on Thursday. The two batsmen have given the touring squad a boost by saying they are almost certain to play alongside Daniel Vettori, the side’s other injury concern.In what has become a traditional pre-match ritual, McGrath trumpeted Astle as his new target in a career list that has included Brian Lara, Michael Atherton and Michael Vaughan. “He’s a big key to their batting line-up and it’s probably 50-50 between us at the moment,” McGrath, who has dismissed Astle once, told the Courier-Mail. Astle is carrying a back injury but should be fit while Fleming expects to feel 100% by Thursday. Vettori is also confident his shoulder will be ready.Warne returns from a broken thumb, which restricts his ability to bowl the flipper, and quickly joined in the game with McGrath. “Stephen Fleming is the man I am nailing,” Warne said. “He is my mate and I am going to nail him. No more Mr Nice Guy to him. I want to really test him out. We will enjoy a beer after it, but I really want his wicket.”Warne said Fleming, who has struggled with a mystery illness since the Bangladesh tour ended, was crucial to New Zealand, but he found it difficult to read his bowling. “He will be one of their most important players because he will either open or bat three and if he gets through the new ball he can hold the whole innings together,” he said. “I will try and nail him because I am not sure he picks exactly what I bowl.”
Bangladesh’s budding fast bowler, Tapash Baisya, has suffered an injury setback at an intensive training camp in Dhaka, after dislocating his left shoulder in a boxing match.Baisya, 21, was impressive on Bangladesh’s recent tour to the Caribbean, where he took 4 for 16 in the rain-shortened second one-day match in Jamaica, before contributing with bat and ball during the drawn first Test in St Lucia, as Bangladesh were able to declare for the only time in their first 30 Tests.But Bangladesh’s injury jinx has struck again at the BKSP, the national academy. The squad members had been paired off to face each other in the boxing ring, in an exercise designed to help their "instantaneous flexibility". According to reports, Baisya sustained his injury after apparently missing a left jab on his fellow paceman, Tareq Aziz.In the absence of Mashrafee bin Mortoza, Baisya is the leading pace bowler in the country, but has now been advised to rest for three weeks, and may miss the forthcoming Asia Cup.
Tributes have been coming in, following the shock news of the death of Charles Knott, the former Hampshire cricketer and chairman, aged 88.Former Hampshire captain Robin Smith was shocked to hear of the death of Charlie Knott when I spoke to him at his Cape Town hotel this evening.Robin, who is hosting a touring party at the Cricket World Cup, was saddened by the passing of the man who invited him to join Hampshire way back in 1981.”I remember feeling very nervous when my brother Chris and I went to his home in Highfield,” said Robin. “He made us feel very much at home however, and put us both at ease.”Charlie was a legend at Hampshire, and although very tough with us if we made mistakes, he was also a good friend to all the players.”Robin continued, “One of the sad tasks that he had to perform was telling a player, sometimes just a youngster, that the club were not offering a new contract. He did that with feeling, something he did not enjoy, but was necessary.”I offer Iris, and his two daughters Gaye and Dawn my deepest sympathies.”County Director of Cricket Tim Tremlett remembers seeing the name of Charles Knott on the honours board at Taunton’s College, marking the occasion when he took a hat-trick in the Gentlemen v Players fixture in 1950.”Mr Knott was the cricket chairman when I joined the staff in the summer of 1975, and he offered a lot of advise to me, which I listened to as he was a tremendous bowler in his own right for Hampshire.”And it was that record for the county that gained him a lot of respect, so much so that he was Cricket Chairman for 21 years and was influential in bringing Barry Richards, Gordon Greenidge, Malcolm Marshall, Andy Roberts and the Smith brothers to Hampshire.”He reminises also about a game of snooker he played against Charles and professional standard partner Jim Bailey with Kevan James at the Old Yacht Club across the road from the Northlands Road ground.”They took us to the cleaners. We got absolutely hammered!”He has nearly 50 years of friendship and association with another legendary Hampshire spin bowler as well. Peter Sainsbury looks back with great happiness at the time he spent with him.”We go back to when I started on the ground – that is how long ago it was,” he said. “He was still playing when I joined the staff, although I never actually played with him.”But he was chairman of cricket when I played and when I coached and he was a very fair man. In fact, we were good pals – you cannot say that too often about Chairmans of Cricket and coaches these days!”It is terribly sad to lose Mr Knott, who was a fine amateur bowler in his day and a lovely man. He will be greatly missed.”He had a smile on his face though when going back to the early part of the 1952 season when the team and staff had their picture taken. “It was the first ever picture I had taken with the team, but I had to borrow his sweater as I did not have one.”We didn’t get sweaters until we were well established then.”
One player has leapt to the defence of the England team currently being mauled in the Ashes series – Australian skipper Steve Waugh.Despite the tourists’ two comprehensive victories in the opening matches of the series, Waugh says they don’t reflect the closeness of the contests. He adds that he has been made to battle for his runs.Speaking at the Trafalgar Square launch of the year-long countdown tothe Commonwealth Games, which begin in Manchester on 25 July next year, Waugh said: “It’s hard work. I’ve had to bat very well to get runs here, and I’d like to think people respect us for that.”England aren’t playing that badly. The results look very one-sided but weknow it’s a good contest out in the middle. There’s certainly no easy runs andno easy wickets so we’ve got to work hard.”It hasn’t happened (for England) because we’re a good cricket side and weput pressure on the opposition.”Speaking at the same event, Australian master spinner Shane Warne echoed his skipper’s thoughts and felt that England’s dropped catches had cost them dear.Warne said: “I don’t think we’ve allowed England to play as well as they’dhave liked. We haven’t actually let them into the game.”We’ve played pretty well and played some very good cricket, and as we’ve notallowed them to get into the game, they’ve always been behind.”We’ve got to be careful we don’t get too carried away. I don’t think we will;we’re a very professional team and go about our business and try to just worryabout ourselves, not the opposition.”I think that’s one thing that’s been very important to us and one of thereasons we’ve been successful.”Having said that, although the scorelines look like we’ve won quiteconvincingly, it’s actually been a lot closer than people think. They’ve hadtheir chances, and unfortunately from England’s point of view they haven’t heldonto their catches, and that’s probably cost them.”It doesn’t matter who’s batting; you can’t give a guy three or fourchances. No one means to drop a catch, and I think it’s probably the worstfeeling in cricket. No one likes to do it and no one means to do it – butsometimes at those moments you’ve just got to take it.”England have been fielding very well over the last 12 or 18 months, so Idon’t know what you can put it down to. I’m just hoping they keep doing it!”
Tottenham face a crucial trip to Crystal Palace on Sunday as Thomas Frank’s side desperately seek to halt their alarming slide down the Premier League table.
Spurs are sitting 13th after a turbulent campaign that has seen them win just six of their opening 17 league matches and lose five of their last eight top flight games.
The clash at Selhurst Park represents an opportunity for Frank to restore some confidence following Saturday evening’s crushing 2-1 defeat to Liverpool, a result that left the manager under mounting pressure from supporters who have witnessed just two home league wins all season.
The loss to Liverpool proved particularly painful for Tottenham after they were reduced to nine men following red cards for Xavi Simons in the first half and Cristian Romero in stoppage time, with the Argentine captain losing his composure after winning a free kick and throwing a fit that earned him a second yellow.
Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitiké scored for the visitors before a late Richarlison consolation, condemning Spurs to another setback in what has become an increasingly inconsistent and error-strewn campaign under Frank.
Tottenham hold 'formal' talks with star over personal terms in 'crazy market'
Spurs have a battle on their hands.
1 ByEmilio Galantini
Palace represent dangerous opponents for Tottenham, sitting five places above them, with Oliver Glasner’s side possessing the pace and directness on the counter-attack to exploit Spurs’ vulnerable backline.
Frank will also be without several key players through injury with James Maddison, Destiny Udogie, Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski all long-term absentees, while the suspensions for Simons and Romero further deplete his options for the crucial festive period.
Another player who’s been sidelined almost all season, and yet to make a single competitive appearance under Frank, is Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma.
Spurs were open to offers for the 29-year-old in the summer and he has been repeatedly penalised for disciplinary issues behind-the-scenes, with reports suggesting the Lilywhites have decided to sell him next year.
While Bissouma’s deal expires in 2026, Spurs do have an option to extend it by a further year, but before that, supporters and Frank will be hoping he can contribute on the pitch at some point first.
Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma could return from injury on Boxing Day
The former Brighton star, who played a key role in Spurs’ Europa League final win against Man United in May, has been called up to represent Mali at AFCON regardless of his injury.
According to Pierrot Le Foot, Bissouma has been ruled out of their opening Group A fixture against Zambia this afternoon in Casablanca.
The national team captain is one of three key players unavailable for the Eagles, alongside central defender Sikou Niakate and experienced right-back Hamari Traore, leaving Mali manager Tom Saintfiet with significant selection headaches.
Subscribe for deeper Spurs coverage and player insights Looking for clearer context on Spurs’ struggles, Yves Bissouma’s availability and tactical shifts? Subscribe to our newsletter for in-depth Tottenham coverage, transfer context and expert match & player analysis across the Premier League and beyond. Subscribe for deeper Spurs coverage and player insights Looking for clearer context on Spurs’ struggles, Yves Bissouma’s availability and tactical shifts? Subscribe to our newsletter for in-depth Tottenham coverage, transfer context and expert match & player analysis across the Premier League and beyond.
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However, it is believed that Bissouma is on the verge of a return to action after resuming full training.
PLF report that Bissouma could play against Morocco on Boxing Day, or, failing that, against Comoros three days later.
This could come as good news for Spurs, as once the AFCON tournament is over, Bissouma could well be available for selection by Frank — giving them another option in the engine room.
However, he hasn’t exactly made the best impression since Frank’s arrival due to his off-field antics, so it remains to be seen whether the tactician will trust in his services.
"Really poor" – Gary Neville says Tottenham player exposed the team against Liverpool
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsHamilton Masakadza started 2016 with another vital knock for Zimbabwe•Chris Whiteoak
The new year brought in new fortunes for Zimbabwe’s bowlers, but not their batsman, as they snatched a 117-run win from Afghanistan in the third ODI in Sharjah to keep the five-match series alive. Their medium-pacers struck from the very first over and allowed a biggest partnership of only 23 runs as Afghanistan were routed for 58 in their chase of 176. Luke Jongwe took his maiden ODI five-for and Neville Madziva finished with 3 for 27 from six overs to dismiss Afghanistan in only 16.1 overs.It barely looked like Zimbabwe would get anywhere close to victory when they were 49 for 7 after choosing to bat, but Hamilton Masakadza and Graeme Cremer staged a comeback for them, striking fifties and sharing a partnership of 104 runs to help the side move past 150. With a more respectable total to defend, Zimbabwe’s bowlers dismantled the Afghanistan line-up, by having most of their frontline batsmen caught behind. Unlike Zimbabwe, Afghanistan could not recover from their score of 47 for 7 and, except for an Mohammad Shahzad, no other batsman reached double-figures.Strangely, both teams were 0 for 2 and Zimbabwe’s recovery was better. Madziva and Jongwe didn’t allow the Afghanistan batsmen to breathe at all. Madziva struck off consecutive deliveries in the first over to remove Noor Ali Zadran with a yorker and Mohammad Nabi with a wide delivery which he edged to the wicketkeeper. The other opening bowler and left-arm spinner Tendai Chisoro, who came in for Wellington Masakadza, also chipped in with two big wickets to reduce Afghanistan to 39 for 4.Shahzad, meanwhile, had done a bit of damage early on to keep Afghanistan alive by scoring 31 of their total of 39 by the sixth over. He used brute force and targeted the leg side for most of his blows before failing in his attempt to clear mid-off and Elton Chigumbura dived forward for a good, low catch. The rest of the damage was then inflicted by Jongwe, who stuck to an asking line and length outside off, extracted good bounce and produced frequent outside edges.He moved the ball just a bit to make Hashmatullah Shahidi and Mirwais Ashraf edge the ball to Masakadza at wide slip, in the ninth over. In his next over he also had Samiullah Shenwari edge one behind with marginal seam movement to move the ball away and, with the score on 49 for 8, Afghanistan’s chase had virtually ended there. Jongwe didn’t leave that to anyone else; he got his fourth wicket when Rashid Khan cut him powerfully to cover point and finished things off by strangling Amir Hamza down the leg side, on the first ball of his sixth over. Afghanistan, who had seized the early momentum by bowling beautifully in the beginning of the match, folded meekly in their attempt to convert their 2-0 lead into a 3-0 series win.Zimbabwe’s top and middle order collapsed for the second time in three matches as Afghanistan’s new-ball bowlers Hamza and Dawlat Zadran pounced early on by removing the openers in the first eight balls. Left-arm spinner Hamza slid one in from wide of the crease to trap Peter Moor lbw, and five balls later Chamu Chibhabha poked at an outswinger to hand a catch to the wicketkeeper. 0 for 2.Richmond Mutumbami assisted Masakadza in a stand of 33, but an unnecessary sweep for a ball well outside off resulted in a bottom-edge to the wicketkeeper for 14. Their hopes rested on middle-order batsmen Chigumbura and Sikandar Raza but medium-pacer Ashraf’s double-strike removed both of them to leave Afghanistan reeling. Masakadza tried to unsettle Nabi by welcoming him with a straight six in the ninth over but lack of partners meant he had to rely on singles and doubles after that. To deepen Afghanistan’s woes further, a mix-up between Malcolm Waller and Masakadza ended in Waller’s run-out and they were soon 49 for 7.Cremer then joined Masakadza and the two responded with a rather unagitated approach. They nudged the spinners around to keep the score ticking, and Cremer also collected fours when Rashid Khan and Hamza bowled shorter to knock the run rate above three runs per over. Cremer’s first six, off Dawlat in the 32nd over, showed that the two batsmen were not going to give in. His hook brought up the fifty stand and also the team’s 100, and they switched gears further by scoring 36 runs from the 36th to 40th over.Cremer, though, fell to a full-toss soon after the 100 partnership came up and Masakadza added another 14 to his name before holing out to deep square leg off Dawlat, for 83.
The only way is down Everything started so well for Makhaya Ntini when he trappedNazimuddin lbw with his first ball, but the evening quickly took on aless rosy complexion. Aftab Ahmed cracked the last three deliveries ofhis first over for 6,6,4, charging down the pitch with utter disdain,then nonchalantly flicking him over square. When his second over wentfor 15, Ntini retired from the attack with two overs for 31 andshaking his head at this Twenty20 lark.Revenge is sweet Between Ntini’s two overs, Shaun Pollock was also on the receiving endof some equally fierce shots. His second over was an extraordinaryaffair as he removed Tamim Iqbal with the first ball before being senthigh over deep square-leg by Mohammad Ashraful. Another boundaryfollowed and Ashraful couldn’t stop himself. Already with 10 off twoballs he tried to launch Pollock straight down the ground, only tofind Graeme Smith’s safe hands. Pollock let Ashraful know who’d wonthat little battle.Home-boy heroics Cape Cobras batsman JP Duminy beat Gulam Bodi to the race to replaceHerschelle Gibbs in the starting line-up. He showed his worth to theside with two outstanding pieces of fielding as South African kepttheir heads amid Bangladesh’s flashing blades. He ran out Shakib AlHasan with a direct hit from mid-off, then held onto a stunning catch running backwards at extra cover to remove Mashrafe Mortaza. The huge crowd cheered on their hometown hero and a mass of South African flags waved around the ground, which continued with each graceful boundary he struck in his 36. He had a decent evening.Give a big wave The crowd created a fantastic atmosphere as the locals, probably stillsavouring the previous night’s rugby result, roared on their side.Normally the sight of a Mexican wave at a ground is an indication thatproceedings have become a little dull, but on this occasion it wasjust evidence that everyone was fully into the spirit of the game andproved how much the country has taken hold of Twenty20.Captain’s innings After taking a nasty blow on his hand against West Indies, Smith could have sat out this match if he wanted, with nothing atstake, but he was determined to lead from the front. He began bycatching well, then played a controlled 41 off 34 balls to puthis team on course for victory. Smith might not be everyone’s cup oftea, but there is no denying that he is a determined and gutsy player.
The ECB have announced that their contingency plans for the forthcoming Twenty20 and one-day series against Pakistan have been stood down following the Pakistan Cricket Board’s commitment to honour the series.The ECB made arrangements to cover the vast potential loss of earnings had Pakistan pulled out of the series; the West Indies were confirmed as Pakistan’s replacement team, and a hastily formed International XI was also arranged in case Pakistan failed to play the Twenty20 match.”Our contingency plan has now been stood down following the unequivocal commitment from the PCB to fulfil the remainder of the tour,” David Collier, the ECB chief executive said, “and we now look forward to an exciting Twenty20 at Bristol on Monday and the five-match NatWest Series One Day Internationals.”In particular I wish to express our gratitude to the West Indies Cricket Board, Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club and Glamorgan County Cricket Club in addition to our sponsors and broadcasters for their fulsome support of ECB’s contingency plan which was actioned to ensure that we could guarantee matches throughout the Nat West Series for spectators, television viewers and radio listeners,” he said.”ECB also wishes to thank the 12 players who had agreed to play in the International XI and the management team who had been invited to support the International XI.”
ScorecardEngland’s dominance of this match continued on day three of the second Test, as they extended their lead to a daunting 328 runs against Sri Lanka. Despite scoring turgidly for most of the day, their lead is almost certainly enough.England had a first-innings advantage of 67 when they bowled Sri Lanka out yesterday. Starting on 16 without loss this morning, they were disappointed to lose Joe Denly, cheaply, for the second time in the match. However, his fellow opener, Varun Chopra compiled a very patient knock of 64, to cement his side’s innings together. Chopra, from Essex, only struck four 4s, but his stickability was invaluable as he spent over three hours at the crease.The most aggressive partnership of the day came between Chris Thompson and Nicholas James, who put on 91. James’s half century came briskly, from 63 balls, and his seven boundaries, including three sixes, helped drive the momentum of England’s innings forward.Sri Lanka’s bowlers were reasonably tidy, but only Chathupama Gunasinghe, a medium pacer from Galle, looked penetrative. His figures of 4 for 61 helped stem England’s run-rate to under three per over; although they didn’t collapse, the continual tumble of wickets prevented them from truly dominating Sri Lanka’s attack. Despite this, their lead of 328 ought to prove more than enough – but they will need to leave themselves enough time to bowl Sri Lanka out tomorrow.
Australia’s cricketers have been briefed on the latest situation in Zimbabweand will fly out to the country on Thursday with neither fear nor regret,John Buchanan, their coach, has declared.”I wouldn’t think there is any concern,” Buchanan said at a pre-tour camp inBrisbane. “Basically Cricket Australia, and virtually all the information wehave from a security point of view, has allayed anybody’s fears. I thinkthat’s pretty fair to say.”The players were updated on Monday on the state of play in Zimbabwe by TimMay, head of the players’ association, and Cricket Australia’s operationsmanager Michael Brown.”I’m sure every player and all of us think about the issues and come totheir own conclusions,” Buchanan said. “But in the end we’re invited there as cricketers, we’re invited there through the ICC programme. Zimbabwe cricket wants us there and Cricket Australia honour those commitments. We go there as cricketers and that’swhat we’re trying to do.”It is only a week since batsman Darren Lehmann hinted at a deeper clash ofconscience within the Australian team: “We are not a political side,”Lehmann said, “but I would be lying if I said there wasn’t a concern aboutthe whole scenario.”However, Buchanan indicated that if any players had serious concerns theywould have expressed them by now. So far, only Stuart MacGill has pulled outof the tour. Lehmann did not attend yesterday’s briefing because he isplaying county cricket in England.Buchanan made his comments before last night’s latest dramatic twist, whenZimbabwe’s 15 rebel white players were sacked by the national board for notreturning to work. The move seemingly ensures that a third-string Zimbabwe side, similar to the team slaughtered recently by Sri Lanka, will meet world champions Australiain a farcical mismatch. Apparently it matters nought.”I guess we’re still waiting to see what the make-up of the [Zimbabwe] teamwill be once we get to Zimbabwe,” Buchanan said. “But whatever that is we’regoing there to tour and play Test matches and one-day cricket and everybody’s committed to doing that.”Indeed they will not only play but help out where possible, with players andcoaches willing to stage coaching clinics and offer any other off-fieldassistance where desired. “If that presents itself and security is not anissue,” said Buchanan, “we’ll dive at it.”Buchanan meanwhile stood up for Sri Lankan’s champion offspinner MuttiahMuralitharan, who has been lauded and besieged in equal measure sincebreaking the world Test bowling record last week.”He’s a class bowler,” said Buchanan, “and class bowlers should be able tobowl how they see fit.” He described the recent biomechanical testing ofMurali’s doosra as “more a bit of a grease and oil change than anythingelse”.The Australians leave for Zimbabwe on Thursday morning, playing two Testsand three one-day internationals.