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Michael Carberry and Rilee Rossouw agonisingly missed out on centuries but Hampshire remained in control against Middlesex at the Ageas Bowl

ECB Reporters Network16-Apr-2017
ScorecardKyle Abbott was again in the wickets to leave Middlesex under pressure•PA Photos

Michael Carberry and Rilee Rossouw agonisingly missed out on centuries but Hampshire remained in control against Middlesex at the Ageas Bowl.The pair produced magical and brave innings before a rare moment of ill-judgement saw them off for 98 and 99 respectively.Despite the near misses the hosts stayed on top thanks to Kyle Abbott’s evening inroads into the visitor’s top-order as Middlesex ended the day 29 runs ahead.The day began with Carberry falling two runs short of a much merited and universally wanted century after waiting since May last year to taste three figures in the Specsavers County Championship and missing the second half of last season through cancer treatment.’Heartbroken for Carbs’

Kyle Abbott on Rilee Rossouw
“I thought he had the second run, I know he is quick through the wickets, but it was a shame. He took it quite badly. He took a while to unpad. He realised the opportunity of a hundred but it isn’t the end of the world. From what I can understand he was in a lot of pain but he is a tough Afrikaan so he won’t sit down and roll over.
Abbott on Michael Carberry
“I was heartbroken there for Carbs. I just wanted to be out there with him when he got that first hundred after what he had been through. Carbs has had an amazing attitude since I’ve come back. He seems to be free and it shows in his cricket.”

He watchfully negotiated the nearly overs, desperate not to gift his wicket away, after starting the day on 84. But two balls after moving to 98 with a thick edge through the slip cordon he opened his shoulders for the first time since the previous evening and edged behind leaving the Ageas Bowl in stunned silence.Abbott, elevated to nightwatchman on the second evening, had been in flowing mood on the drive throughout the morning and reached his maiden Championship fifty off 77 balls. He had put on 80 with Carberry before the opener and Lewis McManus fell soon after each other – the wicketkeeper gloving to third slip.Carberry’s dismissal had brought Rossouw to the crease, after being forced to move down the order due to a chipped finger in his left hand. He was hit twice on the same hand twice during his counter-attacking stand with Berg with the pair adding 86 for the eighth wicket.The pair both struck massive sixes in a speedy stand before Berg was caught and bowled by Dawid Malan, with Brad Wheal being caught behind next ball. Rossouw was inexplicably dropped by Malan in the covers when the ball barely picking up speed off the bat to loop through the fielder’s hands.Fidel Edwards, who injured his hamstring while bowling, completed a walking wounded partnership for the last wicket. Rossouw had often needed to take his bottom hand off the bat and after taking on a never-there two he was run out by Sam Robson one short of his century.Despite a lead of 82, with the two first innings having taken until deep into the third day to complete the odds appeared to favour a draw, but Abbott had other ideas. He ripped through Sam Robson with a beauty which seemed to lift and straighten on the opener.He then accounted for Nick Gubbins with a superb delivery, his 50th in the Championship wicket, angling slightly across the left hander to kiss the edge of the bat to second slip. Abbott almost had a third when Sean Ervine dropped a tough chance at first slip with Stevie Eskinazi on 6.Wheal used his impressive pace to take the third scalp as Malan left a hooping in-swinger. Eskinazi and Adam Voges made a recovery to take Middlesex back into the black, but the former’s late-in-the-day swipe behind for 45 off Abbott left Hampshire with a chance of making it back-to-back victories.

Heart of Midlothian have yet to make a signing during this transfer window, and with newly appointed manager Steven Naismith looking to steer the Edinburgh side into the group stages of the Europa Conference League for the second season in a row, he will need to act fast.

They have recently lost winger Josh Ginnelly, who rejected a new contract at the club and midfielder Orestis Kiomourtzoglou has also departed, joining German outfit Greuther Furth and with the start of the Premiership season less than a month away, new signings will be required sooner rather than later.

With this in mind, the Jambos have been linked with a move for Wigan Athletic attacking midfielder Jamie McGrath according to The Daily Record, as Naismith looks to offset the loss of Ginnelly by luring the 26-year-old north of the border again, as he spent last term on loan at Dundee United.

Hearts signed Stephen Humprhys on loan for the 2022/23 season from the Latics, and he went on to enjoy a solid if unspectacular campaign at the Gorgie club.

The forward netted five goals across 25 appearances, including one in the Europa Conference League while ranking sixth in the squad for successful dribbles per game (0.6) and third for shots on target per game (0.6) and could Hearts sign a player who will offer similar attacking qualities in McGrath?

Could Hearts sign Jamie McGrath?

To say the Irishman was one of Dundee United’s better players last term would be an understatement as he managed to register 12 goal contributions for the Arabs – nine goals and three assists – across 37 games in all competitions and these are the sort of numbers Naismith requires.

McGrath led the way in terms of overall Premiership Sofascore rating in the United squad, while also ranking second for goals (eight), first for big chances creates (five) and key passes per game (1.6), clearly showing himself to be a class above in the squad and his talents would be well suited to a Hearts team who have Lawrence Shankland leading the line.

Journalist Josh Bunting heaped praise on him when he joined Wigan in 2022, saying: “Jamie McGrath is a sensational signing for Wigan Athletic, think that’s one of the best signings of the window , really liked him whilst he was at Dundalk, good on the ball, aggressive and direct and has a very good shot, he’ll score from belters at the DW I’m sure of that.”

The 5 foot 9 dynamo hasn’t quite settled in England, making just four appearances for Wigan and Hearts could take advantage of the fact he has just one year left on his current contract and a knockdown fee may be accepted.

With the signing of Humphrys – who memorably scored from inside his own half against Dundee United last term – having proved fruitful as the striker enjoyed some "great moments" at the club according to Naismith, despite sealing an early return to Wigan, perhaps the addition of McGrath could be a repeat of that transfer success.

Judging by his statistics in the Scottish top flight last season, Naismith surely won't have any fears regarding how he will settle in and losing the goals of Ginnelly suggests Hears must make signing McGrath a number one priority during the transfer window ahead of the vital European qualifiers.

أبلغ نادي برشلونة المنافس في بطولة الدوري الإسباني قائد الفريق الأول لكرة القدم، سيرجي روبيرتو، بقراره النهائي بشأن مستقبله.

وينتهي عقد روبيرتو مع برشلونة في 30 يونيو المقبل، وبالتالي، قد يرحل بالمجان نهاية الموسم إذا لم يتم تجديده لأي نادٍ دون الرجوع إلى الفريق الكتالوني.

وبحسب صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الكتالونية أن برشلونة قد أبلغ روبيرتو بأنهم يرغبون في تجديد عقده لمدة موسم آخر.

اقرأ أيضًا.. كانسيلو يقدم تضحية مالية كبيرة من أجل برشلونة

هذه توصية من جانب المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي برشلونة، تشافي هيرنانديز، الذي يراه أحد أهم العناصر مع العملاق الكتالوني.

ويلعب روبيرتو مع برشلونة منذ نوفمبر 2010 وكان ذلك تحت قيادة المدرب، بيب جوارديولا، واستمر اللاعب حتى أصبح يرتدي شارة القيادة هذا الموسم.

وبالتالي، الرغبة أصبحت مشتركة حيث كان روبيرتو قد أعلن من قبل بالفعل عن نيته في الاستمرار حيث يرى أنه مازال قادرًا على العطاء.

ولكن اللاعب لا يستبعد أبدًا فكرة الانتقال إلى الدوري الأمريكي والالتحاق بلاعبين سابقين للفريق مثل ليونيل ميسي، سيرجيو بوسكيتس ولويس سواريز ولكن ليس في الموسم المقبل.

With Manchester United having secured the signing of Mason Mount and agreed a fee for Inter Milan's Andre Onana, it looks as if Erik ten Hag could be nearing the completion of another high profile summer deal, following an update regarding the club's pursuit of Atalanta hitman, Rasmus Hojlund…

What's the latest on Hojlund to Man United?

According to the Independent's Miguel Delaney, the Red Devils are edging closer to the signing of the Danish sensation having been in 'advanced talks' regarding a deal for the 20-year-old.

The report suggests that while discussions continue over the nature of potential add-ons in the deal, there is said to be a growing 'confidence' that the move will be wrapped up sooner rather than later, with the youngster believed to be 'excited' about the prospect of making the move to Old Trafford.

As per the piece, where there had been previous fears that the Serie A outfit could be looking to demand a fee of nearly £80m, the belief is that an agreement can be reached for closer to £60m, as United look to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.

How good is Rasmus Hojlund?

It is no real surprise that Ten Hag has seemingly been prioritising a move for a new centre-forward throughout the summer so far, with the Carabao Cup winners currently left with Anthony Martial – who missed 27 games through injury last term – as their sole, senior option through the middle.

The mercurial Frenchman scored just nine goals in all competitions last term as a result of his time on the treatment table, while January loan arrival Wout Weghorst was also unable to catch fire, after bagging just two goals in 31 outings in the second-half of last season.

With a more reliable attacking presence needed to lead the line, it remains to be seen if Hojlund is the man who can make an immediate impact next season, with the former Sturm Graz speedster having netted just nine league goals last term in Italy – hardly eye-catching numbers.

For all those possible concerns regarding the Dane's short-term influence, in the long-term the hope will be that the 6 foot 3 "machine" – as described by one-time opponent Raffael Behounek – can emerge as United's main man, with excitement over his talent brewing due to comparisons to a certain, Erling Haaland.

Over the next two or three years, Ten Hag could then have a truly exciting spine to his side that involves Hojlund and the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, with the midfield maestro looking set to be the next big breakout star from the academy ranks.

Part of the side that claimed FA Youth Cup glory back in 2022, the 18-year-old went on to make three senior, competitive appearances last season, having ultimately been named the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year as a result of his standout displays across the age groups.

Dubbed an "exceptional prospect" by Manchester Evening News journalist, Steven Railston, the promising starlet is set to remain part of the first-team squad for the 2023/24 campaign, with Ten Hag not looking to send him out on loan this summer.

With the likes of Christian Eriksen and Casemiro now into their thirties, it may not be too long before Mainoo is installed as the main man in the midfield, with the likelihood being that it will be Hojlund deployed as the leading number nine ahead of him.

That is a mouthwatering prospect, indeed, with the Atalanta ace seemingly a player with "above-average football intelligence" – according to Graz boss Christian Ilzer – while Mainoo has a "really good footballing brain", according to youth coach Travis Binnion, with Ten Hag likely to relish the chance to nuture two such clever, emerging gems who are yet to reach their full potential.

استقر الجهاز الفني لفريق الكرة الأول بالنادي الأهلي بقيادة مارسيل كولر، على قائمة لاعبيه لمباراة الزمالك في الدوري المصري.

ويحتضن ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي، قمة بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز “النيل” بين الأهلي والزمالك مساء غدًا الإثنين.

المباراة من المقرر لها في تمام السابعة مساءً في اللقاء المؤجل من الجولة العاشرة لمسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

قائمة الزمالك لمباراة الأهلي في الدوري.. ضم ترافيس موتيابا وموقف شيكابالا

ويطمح الأهلي في المضي قدمًا نحو الحفاظ على لقب بطولة الدوري المصري لموسم 2023-2024.

ويخوض الأهلي مباراته بمعنويات مرتفعة بعد تحقيق الفوز على المنافس ذاته، الزمالك في نهائي بطولة كأس مصر قبل أسابيع قليلة.

وشهدت القائمة استبعاد عدد من اللاعبين المؤثرين، مثل مروان عطية وإمام عاشور وبيرسي تاو، بينما انضم علي معلول. قائمة الأهلي لمباراة الزمالك في الدوري

حراسة المرمى: مصطفي شوبير- محمود الزنفلي- مصطفى مخلوف.

خط الدفاع: علي معلول- رامي ربيعة- محمد عبد المنعم- محمود متولي- محمد هاني- عمر كمال عبد الواحد- كريم الدبيس.

خط الوسط: عمرو السولية- كريم نيدفيد- محمد مجدي افشة- أكرم توفيق- -احمد نبيل كوكا.

خط الهجوم: رضا سليم- طاهر محمد طاهر- أحمد عبد القادر- وسام أبو علي- محمود كهربا- انتوني موديست.

Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine and Marlon Samuels, all of whom will be coming off their IPL stints, also found a place in the squad

ESPNcricinfo staff19-May-2017

Ronsford Beaton, the 24-year old fast bowler from Guyana, is the only uncapped member in the West Indies squad for the three T20Is against Afghanistan in St Kitts from June 2.Beaton has picked up 31 wickets in 36 T20s, with a best of 4 for 9, and has represented Guyana Amazon Warriors and Trinbago Knight Riders in the CPL.West Indies T20I squad

Carlos Brathwaite (capt), Samuel Badree, Ronsford Beaton, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Rovman Powell, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Jerome Taylor, Chadwick Walton, Kesrick Williams
In: Ronsford Beaton
Out: Jonathan Carter, Andre Fletcher, Jason Holder, Veerasammy Permaul

Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Lendl Simmons and Marlon Samuels, all of whom played the IPL, were retained from the squad that lost 2-1 to Pakistan. Jonathan Carter, Andre Fletcher and Veerasammy Permaul were left out. Jason Holder, the ODI captain, was rested.”After the T20 series against Pakistan, we felt that it was important to keep the same group together so that the coaches can continue developing the young players,” the chairman of the selection panel Courtney Browne said. “This coupled with the vast T20 experience of some of our senior players can help us to build a very formidable unit.”In developing a high performance unit there is never room for complacency and our expectation is to win against a team that is ranked lower than us in the ICC rankings.”West Indies will be hosting a bilateral series against Afghanistan for the first time. The tour, which also includes three ODIs, will take place concurrently with the Champions Trophy, which begins on June 1 in England. West Indies, who have not won a bilateral ODI series since 2014 when they Bangladesh at home, failed to qualify for the eight-team event.Afghanistan famously beat West Indies by six runs the last time they met in a T20I, at the 2016 World T20 in India.

Scottish giants Celtic have made some exciting additions to their talented playing squad so far during the summer transfer window.

Who have Celtic signed this summer?

Brendan Rodgers, who replaced Ange Postecoglou in the dugout last month, has officially completed the signings of Marco Tilio and Odin Thiago Holm

The Hoops are also reportedly set to add £2m-rated Hyun-jun Yang and Hyeok-kyu Kwon to their roster as the pair are on the verge of their respective moves to the club.

One of those players – Yang – has been sensationally tipped, by Gangwon president Byung-ji Kim, to potentially become "world class" in the future "like Son Heung-min".

The Northern Irish tactician has proven himself to be capable of playing a huge role in the development of such a talent, with Raheem Sterling possibly being the best example.

Now at Chelsea, the England international had only made three first-team appearances for Liverpool as a teenager prior to Rodgers' appointment in 2012.

The 50-year-old boss worked with the exciting young talent and placed his faith in the winger's ability alongside the likes of Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez for the Reds.

Sterling racked up 23 goals and 25 assists in 126 competitive matches under Rodgers' management, which earned him a £49m move to Manchester City in the summer of 2015.

He went on to directly contribute to 226 goals (131 goals and 95 assists) in 339 games for the Cityzens. In that time, the "world-class" – as he was dubbed by England legend Frank Lampard in 2020 – forward won five Premier League titles, four League Cups, and one FA Cup.

Rodgers could now unearth his next version of Sterling by working with Yang at Parkhead over the coming years to unearth the potential that Kim sees in him.

How many goals did Hyun-jun Yang score for Gangwon?

The 21-year-old Gangwon winger, who is capable of being deployed on the left or the right, scored nine goals across 71 competitive matches for the South Korean club and his form throughout 2022 suggests that he could be an excellent option for the Bhoys.

Yang racked up eight goals and five assists in 33 K League 1 starts, which works out as a direct contribution every 2.54 games on average. Meanwhile, only Liel Abada (ten), Jota (11) – who has since departed – and Kyogo Furuhashi (27) scored more league goals for Celtic last term.

This is a slight improvement on Sterling's return of a goal or assist every 2.62 outings under Rodgers during their time together at Anfield at the start of his career.

The South Korea U23 international also created six 'big chances' for his teammates in 2022 – as many as current Hoops left winger Daizen Maeda managed in 35 Scottish Premiership appearances last season.

These statistics indicate that the ability is there for Yang to provide quality as a scorer and creator of goals from a wide position, if he is able to translate that form from 2022 over to Scottish football next season.

However, it is down to the exciting whiz and Rodgers to work together to help him to fulfill his potential over the years to come, as the ex-Liverpool boss did with Sterling, in order to make Kim's "world class" prediction a reality.

The scenario for Australia to stay in the tournament beyond the group stage is pretty simple according to captain Steven Smith, with a win needed over England to qualify for the semi-finals

Alan Gardner at The Oval 06-Jun-20172:14

What do Australia and Bangladesh need to do to qualify?

“I guess we’ve just got to beat England.” That was Steven Smith’s matter-of-fact conclusion after Australia were denied an almost-certain victory over Bangladesh at The Oval by the English weather. Having been saved from a potential defeat to New Zealand at Edgbaston in their previous match, Australia were left with two points from two games – but with destiny still in their own hands ahead of their last Group A fixture against England on Saturday in Birmingham.Smith was frustrated but understanding after rain ruined Australia’s attempts to chase a target of less than four an over, which was set up by Mitchell Starc’s four-wicket haul that saw Bangladesh dismissed for 182 in 44.3 overs.”Disappointing not to get a result but we can’t do much about the weather,” he said. “The equation is pretty simple for us now. We have to beat England and I think then we’re through.”This fixture was the first day-night match of the tournament but rain was forecast to arrive during the evening, which it duly did with Australia four overs short of the 20 required to constitute an officially completed game. Although the showers did relent long enough to allow the umpires, Nigel Llong and Chris Gaffaney, to inspect at 8 pm and schedule a restart for 8.30 pm – with seven overs lost – rainfall returned almost immediately, causing the groundstaff to cover the pitch again, to desultory cheers from the remaining Bangladesh fans in The Oval.Australia’s sense of frustration was compounded by the fact that at 83 for 1, they were well ahead of the 20-over Duckworth-Lewis-Stern par score of 48 despite having only batted 16 overs. Smith had blocked five balls from Mashrafe Mortaza with rain falling as he tried to hurry the innings through but, with the umpires appearing to signal for drinks, the downfall intensified and the players were taken off for the first time.Although the Bangladesh innings finished early, at around 4.40 pm, play couldn’t restart until 5.30 pm due to drizzle during the interval. The umpires then took the players off at 6.43 pm, meaning Bangladesh were only slightly behind the required rate of four-minute overs. The rain then stopped for around 45 minutes later in the evening but Llong and Gaffaney felt there was too much mopping up required to get the game going straight away and any chance to get in the four overs required slipped by.”A little bit frustrating,” Smith said of that missed opportunity. “The groundsmen perhaps could have shown a bit more urgency, being a big tournament, but I think they did the best job they could and the umpires said it was an 8.30 pm start, so you’ve got to do what they say.”Of course I didn’t want to go off, I was happy to keep batting through the rain. But the umpires are there to make a decision and I think drinks was at the end of that over, which probably didn’t help. If the game had just carried on, perhaps they may have had a different opinion. But to be fair it was raining reasonably hard when we came off.”The no result means that Australia will likely have to beat England to go through to the semi-final, although they could still theoretically go through with as little as two points – if England win all of their games and New Zealand-Bangladesh is washed out – either on net run rate or due to having a higher seeding than the other teams in the group. The high chance of rain affecting the England-New Zealand match in Cardiff on Tuesday may add to the intrigue.The computation for Bangladesh is slightly simpler, with a win required against New Zealand at Cardiff on Friday in their final match to stay in the hunt for a semi-final spot. A win over New Zealand combined with a pair of England wins over Australia and New Zealand would guarantee Bangladesh a place in the semis. Yet, Bangladesh could still miss out on the semi-finals on three points, having suffered a hit to their run rate in defeat to England last week. They would also miss out, regardless of a win over New Zealand, if England beat New Zealand on Tuesday and Australia beat England on Saturday in which case both England and Australia would end the group stage on four points.Mashrafe Mortaza, Bangladesh’s captain, was nevertheless happy that his team remained alive in the tournament and referenced the point gained from a similar abandonment against Australia in the 2015 World Cup – when they qualified from the group stage at England’s expense – as reason to be optimistic.”I can remember in the 2015 World Cup, we got one point from Australia and it really helped us go through,” he said. “This time we’ve got a straight chance, even though we have to beat New Zealand. So our job is to play hard against New Zealand and you never know.”If you look at today’s match, I think Australia was far ahead of us. But in the last match, against New Zealand, I think Australia were in the same position. You can’t do anything with the weather so, as I said, both teams are now in the situation where Australia has to win against England and we have a great chance to beat New Zealand and go through.”

أدلى حلمي طولان، نجم الزمالك السابق، بتحليله لمباراة القمة التي جمعت فريقي الأهلي والفارس الأبيض أمس الإثنين، في بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

وشهدت المباراة صراعًا قويًا بين الفريقين، حسمه الزمالك بهدفين من سيف الدين الجزيري، في المقابل، سجل للأهلي البديل أحمد عبد القادر. أهداف مباراة الأهلي والزمالك في الدوري

وأكد طولان في تصريحات عبر إذاعة “أون سبورت إف إم”، أنّه يرى أن بعض لاعبي الزمالك يستحقون الانضمام لمنتخب مصر خلال الفترة المقبلة، في مقدمتهم ناصر ماهر وعمر جابر ونبيل عماد “دونجا”.

طالع أيضًا | سمير كمونة: الجزيري “ضحك” على ثنائي الأهلي.. ويوجه لهما نصيحة

وعلى صعيد المباراة، أوضح طولان أنّ الأهلي سيطر على وسط الملعب في بداية اللقاء، لكنّ مدرب الزمالك البرتغالي جوزيه جوميز تدارك الموقف وأعاد التوازن.

وأشار طولان إلى أنّ عدم قدرة ثلاثي الزمالك عبد الله السعيد وناصر ماهر وأحمد حمدي على الدفاع بشكلٍ جيدٍ كان أحد أسباب خسارة الأهلي، بسبب قدرتهم الهجومية.

ووجه طولان الشكر إلى طاقم التحكيم بقيادة إبراهيم نور الدين، مُؤكدًا أنّه قدم أداءً جيدًا في المباراة.

وأخيرًا، اعتبر طولان أنّ الغيابات المؤثرة في صفوف الأهلي، على رأسها حسين الشحات وبيرسي تاو وإمام عاشور، كانت أحد العوامل التي أدت إلى هزيمة الفريق.

The cricket advisory committee, comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman, is likely to meet this week – most probably Tuesday or Wednesday – to finalise the process and interview schedule as India’s West Indies tour approaches

Nagraj Gollapudi06-Jun-2017

Anil Kumble will be in the running once again to be coach of India after he officially re-applied for the post – this despite the BCCI having said there was no need for a formal application as he would be a “direct entry” into a final pool. Kumble is part of a six-man shortlist that includes Virender Sehwag, Tom Moody, Richard Pybus, Lalchand Rajput, and Dodda Ganesh, all candidates who will be interviewed by the three-member cricket advisory committee (CAC).Craig McDermott, the former Australian fast bowler had also sent an application but that arrived after the May 31 deadline. The CAC will assess the application and determine his eligibility for the interview.The CAC trio of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman is likely to meet this week – most probably Tuesday or Wednesday – to finalise the process and interview schedule. The BCCI wants to identify a candidate before the Champions Trophy ends on June 18, as India travel to the Caribbean immediately after for a limited-overs series.Kumble’s one-year contract was always due to end after the Champions Trophy, but instead of continuing a successful arrangement, the BCCI opted to advertise for fresh interviews. In large part, this is thought to be because the BCCI was concerned by player feedback on Kumble: some of the players, including the Indian captain Virat Kohli, have said they were uncomfortable with the “intimidating” style of Kumble’s man management.That has not deterred Kumble, whose application was one of the first to arrive when the application process opened on May 25. As well as his CV, Kumble has sent a detailed roadmap outlining his vision for the future of the Indian team.The BCCI and the Committee of Administrators (CoA) told Kumble in person that fresh applications will be considered once his contract ended when they met on the eve of the IPL final in Hyderabad. That meeting, incidentally, was for Kumble to make a detailed presentation on an upgrading of the contracts of Indian players and coaching staff; it is an issue on which Kumble and Kohli are very much on the same page.On the field, however, a widening of ways has developed in recent months, which makes the task of the CAC that much harder.It was, after all, Tendulkar, Ganguly and Laxman who brought Kumble into the fold despite the BCCI not including him in their original shortlist the last time around. Kumble was appointed despite having no formal qualifications. And the subsequent success India has had in the last year under Kumble will only make it harder still.But the weightiest question they will have to ponder is whether the the relationship between Kumble and Kohli is “so dysfunctional” that it cannot be salvaged and will instead be detrimental to the side. Tendulkar and Ganguly are believed to have spoken to Kohli to assess the situation, though they will not speak to Kumble until the interview. The preferred option, according to an official involved with the process, would be to not change something that isn’t broken, at least results-wise.”If the divide can be bridged, then that is the best solution because you want continuity if the team has done well for a year,” the official said. “You don’t need a new coach then. But it has to be something the two can work with. It cannot be a situation where the captain refuses to listen to the coach. The players will listen to the captain. What is the coach going to do then?”We have asked the CAC to talk among themselves before they pick the best person. There are issues. Are they surmountable with the CAC getting involved and sitting down with Kohli and Kumble and sorting it out? I hope it is possible.”The new coach, whoever it is, is likely to get a two-year contract with the 2019 World Cup as a main target.